Army Sgt Major McDowell Needs Saffron Bulbs to Assist Afghan Farmers

Sergeant Major Mack McDowell is looking for help to provide Afghan farmers a cash crop alternative to poppy. In 2007 Mack made a similar request and we provided 40,000 saffron bulbs and farm tools. Mack was chosen as a CNN Hero for his efforts. Mack is back in Afghanistan and again asks your support for local farmers. Your  contributions will buy saffron bulbs, farming tools and other items to benefit the farmers and their families.

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The Plight of Afghan Farmers-Update

During Mack's current tour in Afghanistan, he has found that the farmers have received some assistance but that their core difficulties remain in place:

The situation here is still not good for the farmers. Some effort has been made to give them good staple crops to grow. Wheat was brought in, in excessive quantities, and given away to many farms. As a result, most farmers in this area grew wheat at the same time, and the market for it crashed. Wheat also takes large amounts of water to grow.

The locals here use an irrigation system that has been engineered for thousands of years. Underground tunnels called karez feed water along a natural flow line--similar to the Roman Aqueducts. Unlike the aqueducts the Romans built, this system here still functions after all this time. The Karez system works, but it is not providing as much water as it used to, because the water table has dropped, partly from over-use like too many wheat crops.

Every Afghan here talked about getting an alternate crop that used less water. The local Afghans hadn't been talking very long when that word came up again--Zaffron. The farmers know that saffron, or Zaffron as they call it, is grown in Herat where the market for it as an export spice is growing. Saffron also uses a lot less water to grow than wheat or many other staples; all the farmers seem to know that too. The farmers here could use some saffron to diversify the crops grown locally, and to lighten the load on the ancient underground Karez system.

Do you think Spirit of America could get the saffron these farmers are interested in? Something similar to the amount supplied previously in 2007 would probably be appropriate, to see how it would take on in this area.
Too much wouldn't help anybody--just like the wheat.

The amount of other humanitarian assistance already given to farmers here by various non-government organizations is pretty hefty. Their schools and other needs seem to be met fairly well so far as I can see right now.

The biggest problem seems to be their need for an alternative crop that is not poppy related, has a high cash value, and does not use more water than the karez system can supply.

If SoA could come up with saffron, the farmers here would put it to good use. Thank you for considering this.-Army SGM Mack McDowell

Mack shared with us these recent photos along with this message:

"The [pictures] were taken in Qalat during the Ramazan/Eid, festival period of time. Pictured are farmers, carpenters, and local children who support and appreciate America's efforts despite the dangers associated.Some of these folks were interested in the Saffron project, and recommended farmers who could best use the resources.

Thank you very much for the help from you and SoA."

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