Concerning the potential for olive oil production, he stated that approximately 80% of the province was suitable for olive cultivation and that high-quality oil could be produced from it.
Dr. Mohammad Israr, Secretary Agriculture and Livestock, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stated that over 0.1 million acres of land were highly suitable for saffron cultivation, which could earn the province Rs 870 billion per year. According to an official handout issued here on Monday, he was speaking during a meeting at the Saudi Royal Embassy.
The meeting was also attended by the Director General (DG) Agriculture (Extension), Jan Mohammad, the Director General (DG) Research, Abdul Bari, the Director General (DG) Agriculture (Extension), Newly Merged Areas, Murad Ali, agriculture experts Ahmad Said and Mohammad Younas, and Aqil Shah.
Agricultural experts briefed the Saudi Royal Embassy’s Commercial Attaché and other office bearers on the promotion of saffron, olive cultivation, and Berry Honey, as well as investment opportunities, during the meeting.
The Secretary of Agriculture KP informed the meeting participants that saffron was cultivated in the province on an experimental basis two years ago, with positive results, and that the provincial government has also approved a specific plan on that basis.
He claimed that KP provided a good investment opportunity for Saudi investors looking to import cheaper saffron from the province.
Concerning the potential for olive oil production, he stated that approximately 80% of the province was suitable for olive cultivation and that high-quality oil could be produced from it. According to a survey, KP has 70 million wild olive plants that could easily be transformed into the best variety.
Saffron is a spice that is obtained from the dried stigmas of the crocus plant (Crocus sativus). It is considered one of the most expensive spices in the world due to the labor-intensive process of harvesting and the low yield of the plant.
To cultivate saffron, the crocus bulbs must be planted in well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. They should be planted in the fall, about 6 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart. Saffron plants prefer a sunny location with temperatures between 60 and 70 °F.
Once the plants have matured and flowered, the stigmas must be carefully hand-picked and dried. This process must be done quickly, as the stigmas will begin to lose their flavour and colour if they are not processed within a few days of being picked.
Saffron plants have a lifespan of about 6 years and will produce flowers for about 3–4 weeks each year. It takes about 75,000 flowers to produce one pound of saffron, which is why it is such a costly spice.