Twice as much saffron based on research findings
Unfortunately, Saudi Arabia, India and China have imposed a 25 to 30 percent tariff on our saffron, while Afghanistan, which is the fourth largest producer and the third largest exporter of saffron, does not have this tariff, said a faculty member of the Khorasan Razavi Food Industry Research Institute. We must have a quality product and cheaper than competitors so as not to lose the world market.
Dr. Abdullah Malafilabi, stating that currently 80% of farmers are cultivating in August and September, said: The best time to plant saffron, according to research findings, is the first half of June.
He continued: Currently, the average yield per hectare is 3.8 kg, while in this method we can double the minimum yield.
The faculty member of the Khorasan Razavi Food Industry Research Institute continued: Considering that this product is considered as an anti-cancer drug, we should avoid selling raw materials and work on its processing. It is now used in other countries to make sunscreen, anti-itch gum ointment, pills and dyes for the beverage industry. In this case, we can get more added value.
Malafiabi added: Of course, saffron is currently used in industries in Iran as saffron cake powder, saffron breadcrumbs, probiotic powder and saffron tablets, but this percentage is very small and must be converted into other products for export. He worked on it.
He continued: Also in this field, factories in the production hub of this product can be encouraged to invest in its processing to get out of the spice state and be considered as a medicine.
A member of the faculty of the Khorasan Razavi Food Industry Research Institute stated: Currently, teams abroad are conducting various tests on the anti-cancer properties of saffron. This is also being done in medical and pharmacy schools in the country so that this product can be considered as a medicine of the third millennium.
Malafilabi emphasized: At present, Spain, although it produces about 1 ton per year, but by buying our saffron and packing it in its own name, it supplies it to the European Union with a global name.
He said that another advantage of saffron is the harvest time of this product and continued: We suggest farmers to buy onions from a safe place, disinfect it and plant it with high density, and also because this product is organic. Be careful when using animal manure because if the product is contaminated, it can not be cleaned, washed and disinfected.
The faculty member of Khorasan Razavi Food Industry Research Institute emphasized that farmers should make the necessary use of the research findings obtained by researchers in the last 3 decades, adding: If these cases are observed, we are sure that instead of maintaining farms 8 years and production of 40 kg of saffron, for example, this work will be done in 4 years with the same amount of product and this is the most economical product that increases the added value of water due to drought and for every one cubic meter of water The product is harvested hot.
Malafilabi added: Another point that farmers should pay special attention to is to pick the flower before the sun shines on it so that its color does not decrease; Also, dry it faster to preserve the active ingredient.
He said that at present Iran has the highest production of saffron and the level of cultivation, adding: Last year, the government bought and stored 70 tons of this product to support farmers, which this year intends to do the same.
Malafilabi stressed: Considering that saffron is currently cultivated in 25 provinces, he said: On average, about 270 people are employed annually, which we believe is where water is valuable and we can not cultivate. And we work with other products and we can not prosper the industry in that area. Saffron is a very good option. Therefore, the government has taken measures in this direction and has agreed to purchase this product in 3 provinces of Khorasan.
The faculty member of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, stating that saffron is the only product that is more economical, less watery and perhaps adds value to water compared to 40 products grown in Khorasan, continued: Currently, the surrounding countries due to the high cost of this They have become our competitors’ products in this field, and we must understand the importance of the issue because of its value.
Unfortunately, the world has imposed a 25 to 30 percent tariff on our saffron against us and Saudi Arabia, India and China, while Afghanistan, which is the fourth largest producer and the third largest exporter of saffron, does not have this tariff, so we need to be able to do so, he said. Compete with the world and have a healthy, quality and cheaper product than competitors so as not to lose the world market.
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