Afghanistan: Afghan Essential Oils Producer Convinces Locals to Grow Roses Instead of Poppies

May 4, 2018 | Syed Salahuddin, Arab News
View Original

Abdullah Arsalan, owner of Ozula Naturals, has introduced rose farming as an attractive alternate to growing poppy for local farmers in eastern Nangarhar province. Nearly 2,000 people work on his rose fields and factory processing organic perfumes and essential oils from Afghanistan’s famous damask rose. The perfumer, who is in his 40s, fell in love with flowers after a near-death experience alerted him to the healing power of herbs and plants.