Anah Gul, a resilient 45-year-old woman from Khwaja Roshnaee in Turkmenia village, found herself at the helm of her family’s livelihood in the village of Char Bolak, Balkh Province. With her husband (Hamidullah) and five children, they once relied on carpet weaving for sustenance. However, shifts in market demand led them to explore alternative avenues. Anah shared, “We make a living through farming, meaning we cultivate various crops on our land according to the seasons and sell the yields. We used to weave carpets, but unfortunately, changes in the market and the lack of demand for traditional carpets have weakened the carpet weaving industry in our region, so we focused on farming for living, and we were seeking opportunities to support us.”
Their transition to saffron cultivation emerged as a strategic decision, driven by the need for a resilient crop amidst climate change challenges, they get aware of the Red Gold project in their village and they get interest to join. Anah elucidated, “Since we started cultivating saffron, our family’s income has increased. In addition to the income from other crops, we also earn some money from saffron. This helps meet our family’s needs. Also we learned about the saffron crop and agricultural related topics.” With meticulous guidance, they embarked on the journey of saffron farming, embracing its potential for sustainability and profitability.
Anah’s aspirations extended beyond mere economic gains. She envisioned a future where women played a pivotal role in agriculture, particularly in saffron cultivation and entrepreneurship. She declared, “In the future, I aim to become a successful saffron farmer among the women of our village. I hope to provide employment opportunities for other women in our village through saffron cultivation.” Her determination served as a beacon of inspiration for her family and community, igniting a spirit of empowerment and resilience.
Their dedication bore fruit as their saffron yields flourished. Anah proudly shared, “This year, we harvested 155 grams of saffron, which we sold for 100 Afghanis per gram. In total, we earned 11,160 Afghanis from the sales.” The income not only sustained their family but also laid the groundwork for future endeavors. With each success, Anah’s belief in the transformative power of women’s participation in agriculture strengthened.
Looking ahead, Anah envisioned a future where her children would thrive, both academically and economically. She expressed, “In the future, I hope to be a good mother to my children and also a successful saffron farmer, so I can utilize my income to educate my children.” With unwavering determination, she embarked on a journey fueled by hope and resilience, determined to carve out a brighter future for her family and community through saffron cultivation. Anah Gul’s story stood as a testament to the indomitable spirit of women, driving change and resilience in the face of adversity.
