Saffron Value Chain Forum for Women in Herat

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1 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Saffron Value Chain Forum for Women in Herat A workshop was conducted in Herat from February 2010 with participants from women saffron growers association from Pushtone Zargone and Ghorian districts of Herat, male saffron growers association, government officials, local traders and NGOs ( see attached participants list) with the following objectives. To Identify the saffron value chain stakeholders in Herat and their roles and responsibilities to improve women s position in saffron value chain To create a forum of saffron value chain stakeholders To understand constrains for women in saffron value chain and find possible solutions To select two pilot projects for women to move women up in value chain Outcome of the workshop: A Forum of saffron value chain stakeholder was established involving government departments, women associations, traders and NGOs. The broad objective of the forum is to improve women s position in saffron value chain. Based on conclusions from the working groups, the following are identified as immediate roles and responsibilities of forum members. Improve and further technical trainings for women Works towards standardization and grading of saffron quality Provide trainings on business management and marketing to women Create linkages between women saffron growers and the national and international markets Create a special market for women in Herat Establish processing and packaging centers for women Promotion of saffron for commercial use and household consumption Further research and development on saffron Saffron Value Chain board was formed with three members from: 1. Dean of Agriculture Faculty, University of Herat 2. SDO 3. DACAAR v 3 The mandate of the board is to meet regularly and follow up on the performance of the forum based on roles and responsibilities listed above. Saffron value chain stakeholders in Herat: Saffron cultivation was brought back in Afghanistan in the early 90s by some farmers who were immigrants in Iran. DACAAR started a trial farming of saffron with four farmers from Pushtone Zargone in Though it was difficult initially to convince the farmers about this alternate farming, today Pushtone Zargone alone has more than 500 farmers growing saffron. The stakeholders in Herat working in saffron are: NGOs and donors (UNDP, CRS, PRT, USAID, ASMED,

2 SDO, DACAAR, ICARDA, HELP, NCDO), traders and companies (Afghan Saffron, Faizi, Khurshid, Mehtab, Almas, Tilai Surkh), Ministry of Economy, MRRD, Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, microfinance institutions (MADRAC, ASMED), Faculty of Agriculture, Herat University, research institutions and land owners Women in Saffron: Women associations presented on the role of women in saffron production (presentations attached). Women perform 80% of the work related to saffron production. At the very initial phase, men are involved in preparing the field and cultivation of corm. Men and women are involved in irrigation of land. However, after that most of the work like collecting flowers, separation of stigmas, drying of saffron, sorting and grading, packaging are done by women. Men usually take over during marketing of saffron. Impact of women s engagement in saffron is multi dimensional. This has given a great opportunity for women to participate agricultural production because it is labour intensive and men need the help of women at various stages of production. This is changing gender relations at home and the community in favor of women because men perceive this as economic contribution of women to household income. Women seem to have some direct income due to selling of saffron and control over the income if they are involved in marketing. This has also increased their mobility outside homes and participation in community development activities. Opportunities for women to engage in saffron production and marketing Suitable soil and climate for saffron in Herat: Some case studies and on farm trials have shown that the Herat climate and soil conditions have a great potential of high quality and yield Changing gender relations: Roles of women within family and the society especially related to saffron production seem to be changing in favor of women because of their contribution in household economy New generation of literate young girls: Many young girls are available with tremendous capacity to learn the technical aspects of production and marketing who can serve as a pool of resources for other women Interest from women to participate in saffron production: There are many women who have shown interest to associations to start saffron cultivation Growing international demand: Researches have shown that the demand and price of saffron is increasing every year. Even though the saffron production has expanded, it hasn t been able to meet the growing demand Multi purpose use of saffron: Saffron is believed to have medicinal properties. It is widely used for commercial use and household consumption Interest from donors and NGOs to improve Afghan saffron production: Many donors and NGOs have shown interest in saffron because it can contribute to sustainable development of communities in Afghanistan Recognition of saffron as an alternative to poppy cultivation: Saffron can provide better income than poppy cultivation and the case studies from Pushtone Zargone have shown that many farmers have taken up saffron cultivation abandoning poppy Obstacles

3 Social and cultural restrictions: In majority, the marketing part is taken over by men because of women s restricted mobility, therefore losing control over income. Access to loan for women: Women need access to loan if they want to lease land, buy inputs for saffron like corm, tools, fertilizers etc. However, women have difficulty accessing loan Lack of technical education on how to improve production and quality for women: Most of the extension workers are men. Therefore, women have very limited access to agriculture extension messages resulting in low knowledge on technical issues relating to proper drying of saffron stigmas, standards on sorting and grading and packaging for appropriate markets. Lack of processing and packaging center for women: Some processing centers have been established by NGOs, however, these are accessible only to men Lack of women in trade: The middlemen, traders and shopkeepers are usually men which makes it uncomfortable for women to go and sell their products in the market Fluctuation in price: Because of restricted mobility and limited exposure to towns and cities, women have to depend on local traders and middlemen to inform about the price which weakens their negotiating power over the price The working groups from the workshop came up with a list of long term and short term solutions to overcome the obstacles faced by women in saffron value chain Short term (up to 2 years) Provide more technical trainings to women (MAIL, Faculty of Agriculture, Herat University, NGOs) Increase peer learning among women in appropriate meetings using visual aid. The visual aid like learning posters to use pictures on processes of production and saffron processing which will help women to transfer knowledge in a systematic manner. Cooperatives and financial institutes make loan accessible for women and associations through MAIL and MFIs Establish processing and packaging centers for women Technical advice provided by the university Better coordination among saffron value chain stakeholders Exchange visits for women to other countries Conduct research and development on saffron Medium Term (2-5 years) Functional centers for quality control, laboratory, provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and supported by NGOs Promotion of Afghan brand name internationally Chambers of Commerce, MAIL and NGOs to create linkages and improve international market for Afghan saffron Establish saffron institution within the university to develop a curriculum on saffron in agricultural courses

4 Price and quality regulation through the coordination among farmers, traders and MAIL Female specialists in saffron Certification of quality Based on short term goals, the members present at the forum workshop committed to the following SDO will provide trainings to women on saffron pre harvest and post harvest activities, accounting, and business management. ASMED will provide post harvest trainings such as saffron processing and packaging. The organization will also help in promoting saffron produced by women by conducting exhibitions and creating market linkages. The Faculty of Agriculture, Herat Universtiy will conduct research on saffron, provide technical trainings and extension messages. MADRAC, will improve access to loan for women saffron associations NCDO will assist in business development for women through capacity building trainings, creating market linkages and conducting exhibitions. Association will contact donors and the government to establish a processing center for women. Shelter Now will continue to help establish saffron growers cooperative, conduct technical trainings, improve access to micro finance, marketing and quality management HELP will continue to provide technical trainings on saffron, further extension messages and establish cooperatives Khursid company will help the association in processing and packaging of saffron, and creating linkages with traders CRS will provide technical advise on post harvest activities, improve coordination among saffron producers Ministry of Economy will improve linkages with donors and find funds for associations DACAAR will continue support associations to build their capacities, conduct trainings and coordinate among stakeholders Saffron associations will further extension messages and transfer of knowledge to new farmers and will work as a body to advocate the interest of saffron growers to the government and the MAIL in particular. Expectations from MAIL: Coordination among various stakeholders Develop Afghan saffron brand to the international market Certification of quality Provide technical trainings to women saffron growers Conclusions The saffron stakeholders committed to further women saffron growers interest in the value chain. The forum will meet regularly and take stock of the commitments made by

5 the members. It is agreed that the report of the workshop will be presented to the relevant ministries and their commitments will be obtained. Two pilot projects will be selected based on the suggestions given by the forum. The associations will implement these pilot projects. DACAAR will monitor the progress and provide support needed to implement these projects. DACAAR will evaluate the forum members based on the commitments made during the workshop at the end of the year. Day 2: Selection of projects On the 18 Feb, associations from Pushtone Zargone and Ghorian met at DACAARA office to identify two pilot projects. DACAAR staff facilitated to formulate projects with the associations. Step 1 The recommendations from the forum were listed out Two associations formed two groups Two groups had a brainstorming session to choose a specific activity that will have the maximum impact to improve women s position in value chain and is within the budget Step 2: Presentation from Pushtone Zargone Specific objectives: To improve women s income by improving saffron quality and packaging Problem statement: The association has 3 drying machines. However, due to lack of space, these are placed in private homes which makes it inaccessible for all women. Moreover, there is no electricity in PZ and the association has only one generator. Many women use traditional drying methods which reduces the quality of saffron and makes it prone to bacteria and other contamination. Moreover, saffron packaging is not professional which reduces the price in the market significantly. Resources: The association chief can provide a room for drying and processing of saffron which is centrally located. All three dryers and one generator can be placed in this house and all women can easily access. However, this place needs maintenance. The communities are ready to provide labour for free. Operations: Women will pay for the generator fuel and other consumables like gloves, containers, pins. Results Indicators Baseline Target Outcome: Increased 10% increase in income 200 Afs/gm 220 Afs/gm income for women Output 1: Improved Increase in # of women access to drying using dryers machines

6 Output 2: Improve women s capacity in drying and packaging Activities: Increased quantity of saffron dried in these machines # of women trained in sorting and grading # of women trained on drying and processing 3 Kg 10 Kg Activites Number Budget in Afs Timeline March June Sep Dec Maintenance 4000 Cement Flooring Paint Glass/windows Table/chairs Labour from comm.. cont Afs Procurement of other materials Glove Steel jars (10) 4000 pairs 10 Pins Containers Sorting and Grading 40 Training Drying and 90 processing Reporting: Some women are literate and have been trained on bookkeeping. They will keep the accounts of income and expenditure and will record the number of women using dryers, quantity of saffron dried and the increase in price due to improved quality. Step 3: Presentation from Ghorian association Specific objectives: To improve women s income by improving saffron quality, packaging and sale Problem statement: The association has 3 drying machines but if the association needs few more dryers so that they are easily accessible to more women. Operations: Women will pay for the operation cost and consumables.

7 Results Indicators Baseline Target Outcome: Increased 10% increase in income 200 Afs/gm 220 Afs/gm income for women 20% increase in sale 3 kg 3.6 kg Output 1: Improved access to dryers Output 2: Improved packaging facility # of women who have access to dryers # of women involved in professional packaging # of containers available 3200 Output 3: Improved capacity of women in grading and sorting Output 4: Improved capacity of women in packaging # of women received training # of women received training Activites Number Budget in $ Timeline March June Sep Dec Conduct training 40 women 200 on grading and sorting Conduct 20 women 100 Packaging training Buy containers Buy Dryers Follow ups after two day workshop: 1. In the project proposal, it was decided that two pilot projects will be implemented by two women s associations for $ 3400 each. The associations selected pilot projects based on recommendations from the forum and the fund available. The need for technical trainings was felt strongly. The cost of the trainer was not included in the budget because DACAAR could not foresee what projects would

8 be selected by the Forum and what would be its role. The training decision was taken only after the workshop. The associations have requested DACAAR to provide trainings. However, due to limited fund, the associations cannot pay the DACAAR staff for trainings. The cost of additional task for DACAAR staff has been built into the fund request to the Bank. 2. Furthermore, the idea of adding visual aid to the trainings was discussed during the meeting between the Bank and DACAAR in Kabul. These posters will contain pictorial instructions on saffron planting and processing. The women who will undergo various trainings under the project will be able to share the learning in a systematic way if they have a set of posters to explain to other members of the association. The project s direct beneficiaries are 274 female members from two associations. However, there are more women in associations who will benefit indirectly from the learning of direct beneficiaries with the help of visual aid (Ghorian Association has 480 members and Pushtone Zargone has 275 women). Two sets of posters (1000 each)- one on planting procedures and one on processing of saffron will be printed by DACAAR and distributed to two associations. DACCAR s NRM Specialist will develop steps that are important in saffron production, processing and packaging. Trainings with the help of visual aid is being tried in DACAAR for the first time. DACCAR will report the learning on Lessons Learnt document at the end of the project. 3. During the workshop and the presentation for the World Bank, it was felt that the quality of trainings can be enhanced significantly if we can add visual aid to the trainings like posters that will capture procedures on saffron drying and processing. These posters can, furthermore, be used by women who received training to train other women. This was not foreseen in the initial budget because this came up only after the discussion with the Forum and the Bank. The cost breakdown for printing of posters is attached to the report. Based on abovementioned points, DACAAR has requested for additional $ 2120 from the Bank for smooth implementation of pilot projects identified and add value to the quality of projects (a sheet on cost breakdown attached). Next Deliverables: 1. DACAAR will finalize the procurement plan for the pilot by April 30, DACAAR will facilitate the procurement of goods and consumables by the associations (procurement plan in WB format attached). This will be completed by June 30, DACAAR staff will conduct trainings for the association members in September/October DACAAR will also prepare Operation Manuals in consultation with women s associations by June 30, This is to set up a revolving mechanism for the associations to cover necessary operation costs (purchase of consumables, running driers, etc.). 5. DACAAR will report on completed activities and provide a brief document on lessons learnt from the Forum in the end of June. 6. The final lessons learnt document will be submitted to the Bank by December 15, 2010, including report on indicators from two pilot projects.