In 1979, when Mr. Aslami was two years into his studies in Kabul, the Soviet Union invaded, toppling Afghanistan’s nascent republic and installing a communist government. As Afghanistan descended into chaos, Mr. Aslami said, his class of 120 students dwindled to 15. At his family’s urging, Mr. Aslami left for Iran, where he would remain for more than a decade, carrying out research and working with villagers to improve cultivation techniques. That was also where he began to see the promise saffron held for Afghan farmers. Saffron is harvested from a fall-blooming variety of the crocus flower, a hardy perennial that grows from bulbs and can withstand Afghanistan’s harsh climate.

Source: International New York Times April 26, 2019 13:30 UTC