Increasing planting of saffron in Zanjan
Zanjan Jihad Agriculture Organization Director of Horticultural Affairs announced that Zanjan’s saffron cultivation has increased to 71 hectares.
Behnam Ojaghloo, in an interview with Isna’s correspondent, said that cultivation of saffron in different areas of the province is on the agenda of the organization, stated that at present, more than 46 hectares of land in Zanjan province are under cultivation of saffron. But last year 23 hectares came to fruiting and delivered 50 kilograms; in fact, the Zanjan province has 344 pieces of saffron, and we hope that the yields will increase dramatically over the coming years.
Referring to holding saffron cultivation training classes for 52 operators and three experts, the official said, saffron is required from Zanjan province from northern provinces and Khorasan Razavi and South. Of course, the supply of saffron onion is also a tough one, and it has its own allergies, because the onions should be planted from pests and diseases. Therefore, the sponsor company tracks healthy fields in the province, and distributes it at the provincial level by purchasing the bulbs.
He said that the bulb required to cultivate one hectare of saffron was four to five tons, adding that the cost of supplying saffron onion is 250 million rials per hectare, which will increase to 300 million rials, including other costs. Of course, it is stipulated that until September, an agreement with the entrepreneurial bank of Hope will be agreed upon in order to provide low-cost facilities to saffroners.
Eighty-nine years old, he said, “Saffron is a perennial herb and it can be exploited up to 15 years after the cultivation.” This is while the third year after cultivation is the culmination of saffron production. Saffron farms in Zanjan province are also produced in the early years and produce an average of 2 kg per hectare. Of course, this will increase to 3kg in the coming years.
Pointing out that Saffron harvesting time is 15th of October to 15th of Aban, the Director of Horticultural Affairs of Jihad-e-Agriculture Organization of Zanjan province said: It is expected that this year 25 hectares of Zanjan province farms will be allocated to saffron cultivation.
source: isna /ir
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