31 July 2012
Saffron output is to reach 250 tons during current Iranian year (to end March 2013), said head of the Association of Saffron Farmers in the northeastern province of South Khorasan.
Ali Hosseini explained that saffron harvest would start as of Oct. 22, ISNA reported.
Although new saffron farms have been fertilized and secured from drought, the output is not satisfactory, he added.
The official explained that over 70,000 hectares of lands are under saffron cultivation in two provinces of Khorasan Razavi and South Khorasan.
He put saffron output from every hectare at 3.5 kilograms (kg). This is while, close to 10 kg of saffron should be harvested from every hectare.
Hosseini attributed the low output to various types of saffron bulbs, adding that bulbs weighting below 8 grams have low fertility rate while bulbs between 8-10 grams have high fertility rate.
If saffron farms are fed with animal fertilizer, their output will double, he added.
He urged for training courses for saffron growers and those involved in saffron industry.
Once farming organizations, farmers and Agricultural Jihad Ministry cooperate with each other in raising awareness about saffron growing, the production will rise, he concluded.
Saffron output is to reach 250 tons during current Iranian year (to end March 2013), said head of the Association of Saffron Farmers in the northeastern province of South Khorasan.
Ali Hosseini explained that saffron harvest would start as of Oct. 22, ISNA reported.
Although new saffron farms have been fertilized and secured from drought, the output is not satisfactory, he added.
The official explained that over 70,000 hectares of lands are under saffron cultivation in two provinces of Khorasan Razavi and South Khorasan.
He put saffron output from every hectare at 3.5 kilograms (kg). This is while, close to 10 kg of saffron should be harvested from every hectare.
Hosseini attributed the low output to various types of saffron bulbs, adding that bulbs weighting below 8 grams have low fertility rate while bulbs between 8-10 grams have high fertility rate.
If saffron farms are fed with animal fertilizer, their output will double, he added.
He urged for training courses for saffron growers and those involved in saffron industry.
Once farming organizations, farmers and Agricultural Jihad Ministry cooperate with each other in raising awareness about saffron growing, the production will rise, he concluded.
© Iran Daily 2012
