Skip to main content

Saffron Farming

Image
By

Commercial saffron farming is not a new business idea. It's a pretty old business and many people are already doing this business in many countries around the world. There are some doubts remain on the origin of saffron, but it is believed that saffron originated in Iran. However, Greece and Mesopotamia have also been suggested as the possible region of origin of this plant.

Saffron is actually the most expensive spice in the world and it is derived from the dry stigmata of the saffron crocus plant (Crocus sativus). It has long been the world's costliest spice by weight. The vivid crimso stigma and styles, called threads are collected and dried for use mainly as a seasoning and coloring agent in food.

Saffron's taste and iodoform-like or hay-like fragrance result from the phytochemicals picrocrocin and safranal. It also contains a carotenoid pigment, crocin, which imparts a rich golden-yellow hue to dishes and textiles.[1]

Saffron is known by different names in different parts of the world. But it is popularly known as 'Red Gold'. The saffron plant is a bulbous, perennial with globular corms, having 15 to 20 cm height. Saffron is mainly cultivated in Spain, Austria, France, Greece, Iran, Turkey and England. Among all these countries Iran alone produces around 90% of the world total production. Saffron is the world's most expensive spice, at US$5,000 per kg or even higher.

Actually, saffron's price depends on the intense labor needed to harvest the crop, not because it is difficult to grow. Actually growing saffron is very easy and simple.

Uses of Saffron

Saffron has a long history of use in traditional medicine. It has also been used as a fabric dye (particularly in India and China) and also used in perfumery. And in India, saffron is also used for religious purposes.

Health Benefits of Saffron

Saffron is healthy and beneficial for human health. Here we are trying to describe the top health benefits of saffron.

  • Saffron contains an impressive variety of plant compounds (such as crocin, crocetin, safranal and kaempferol) that act as antioxidants.
  • Saffron may improve mood and treat depressive symptoms.
  • As saffron is high in antioxidants, so it may help kill cancer cells while leaving normal cells unharmed.
  • Smelling and also eating saffron may help to treat PMS symptoms (such as headaches, pain, cravings, irritability and anxiety).
  • Saffron may have aphrodisiac properties for both men and women and may especially help those talking antidepressants.
  • Saffron may reduce appetite and aid weight loss. Because it has been shown to reduce snacking and curb your appetite.
  • Using saffron may improve memory in adults with Alzheimer's disease.
  • Saffron may raise insulin sensitivity and may lower blood sugar levels.
  • Saffron may improve eyesight in adults with age-related muscular degeneration and may reduce heart disease risk factors.
saffron farming, commercial saffron farming, saffron farming business, how to start saffron farming business, saffron farming for profits, saffron farming business guide

Advantages of Saffron Farming Business

Like many other crops, saffron farming business has also numerous advantages. Actually, saffron farming is very easy and simple, even the beginners can start commercial saffron production business. Although, we always recommend having practical knowledge and experience from an existing farmer before starting commercial operation. Here we are trying to describe the top advantages of saffron farming business.

  • Saffron farming is not a new business idea, people are doing this business from the ancient time.
  • It's already an established business, so you don't have to think much about starting and operating this business.
  • Starting commercial saffron farming business is very easy and simple, even the beginners can also start this business easily.
  • Initial investment in commercial saffron farming business is relatively less as compared to other crop farming business.
  • Commercial production of saffron is highly profitable. So, it can be a very good employment source for the people, especially for the educated but unemployed people.
  • Both demand and price of saffron is very high in the international market.
  • Production cost is less as compared to other crop production business.
  • Saffron is healthy and highly beneficial for human health. You can enjoy it if you start your own production business.

How to Start Saffron Farming?

Starting commercial saffron farming business is very easy and simple. Even the beginners can also start this business easily for making money. Although, having practical knowledge from an experienced farmer will be very beneficial for your business. Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successful saffron farming business.

Site Selection

Saffron grows well in acidic to neutral, gravelly, loamy and sandy soils. It requires well-drained soils and the optimum pH level of the soil should be between 6 and 8.

Prepare the Soil

Preparing the soil perfectly is the most important part of commercial saffron farming business. Try to make the field weed free and add as much organic matter as you can. Perform couple of ploughings for bringing the soil to the fine tilth stage and soil loosening is also required before planting the corns for better growth.

Climate Requirement For Saffron Farming

Generally, winter is the vegetative growth season and leaves will be dried out in the month of May. Saffron can nonetheless survive cold winters, tolerating frosts as low as −10 °C (14 °F) and short periods of snow cover.

Best Time For Saffron Cultivation

Best time for planting saffron is from June to September.

Propagation

Propagation in saffron is done through compressed underground stems (corms).

Purchase Corms

For commercial saffron production, you have to purchase corms from the market. Today, there are some nurseries available with online presence. So, you can also order online.

Planting

You can plant saffron corms directly in the field for commercial production, or in pots for small scale production or in home garden. You should plant the corms at 12 to 15 cm deep by maintaining 10-12 cm spacing between them. Irrigation is not needed after planting, however in case of prolonged drought and hot season watering can be carried out depending on the soil moisture content. Saffron corms generally multiply from one year to the next and 1 corm get 5 corms after 3 years of planting.

Caring

Saffron plants are very strong and hardy and they generally require less caring and other management. Although taking additional care will help the plants to grow well and produce more.

Fertilizing: You have to apply adequate organic fertilizers during the time of land preparation. And annual application of 80 kg P, 30 kg K and 20 kg N per hectare is beneficial. Apply these fertilizers in autumn and again immediately after flowering.

Watering: Irrigation is not needed immediately after planting. But in case of prolonged drought and hot season watering can be carried out depending on the soil moisture content.

Mulching: Mulching helps to retain moisture into the soil and it also helps to control weeds. You can use organic materials for using as mulch.

Controlling Weeds: Mulching with organic matter will prevent most of the weeds. Regular hand weeding is a must, and application of weedicides can be effective in commercial production.

Pests & Diseases

Like many other commercial crops, the saffron plants are also susceptible to some common pests and diseases. There are actually 3 main diseases Fusarium, Rhizoctonia crocorum and Violet root rot found in the saffron farming. Contact your local horticulture department for control measures. It is also recommended that the same field should not be used again for 8-10 years.

Harvesting

Flowering generally starts in the month of October and last for a month. And harvesting should be carried when the flowers are in full bloom stage and early morning picking is proffered. Extract the red pistils from the flowers after harvesting the flowers.

Drying of filaments can be done by putting the pistils on a sieve in a well ventilated place for 15 minutes. Fresh saffron generally does not have any taste and it is recommended that dried saffron should be placed in an airtight container away from the light for at least 1 month before it's consumption.

Yield

For getting 1 gram of dried saffron, 150-160 flower are needed. Generally 60-65 percent of corms will produce 1 flower each during the first year of plantation, and each corm will produce about 2 flowers in the subsequent years.

Marketing

Marketing saffron is very easy and simple, because it has high demand and value in the international market. You will probably be able to sell your products easily. Although, you should set your marketing strategies before starting this business.

These are the common steps and ways for starting and operating a successful saffron farming business. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck and may God bless you!

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Murray Grey Cattle

By
The Murray Grey cattle are a breed of beef cattle from Australia. It was developed in the upper Murray River valley on the New South Wales. The breed was developed in 1905 from an initial chance mating of a black Aberdeen Angus bull and a roan Shorthorn cow during the Federation drought. From these matings the resulting thirteen dun-grey calves were kept as curiosities. And then Peter and Ena Sutherland bred them on the Thologolong property along the Murray River in New South Wales. Murray Grey cattle grew faster and were good converters of feed and produced quality carcases. These are the reasons this animals become very popular after their development. And local farmers became interested soon in these animals and began breeding them. The first large scale commercial farms were established in the 1940s. Today the breed is available in many countries. Both live Murray Grey cattle and embryos have been exported to many countries such as Canada, South America, New Ze...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sorting Cattle

By
Sorting cattle is important if you have a large number of animals. For better management you will need to separate the animals into different groups depending on their age, size, gender or condition score. If some cattle of your herd need to be examined by a veterinarian or confined due to injury or illness, then separation may also need to be done. Sorting is also needed for separating the calves that need to be weaned from their mothers. And separating the bulls is also necessary after they have done their duty with breeding cows. Sorting Cattle Sorting cattle is not actually a difficult task. It can be done easily if you understand stockmanship principles that take advantage of bovine psychology and behavior. However, here we are describing more about the ways of sorting cattle. Sorting From a Squeeze Chute In this system you can move your cattle through a working corral into a chute system into the squeeze. In this system you can check and process animals f...
Post a Comment
Read more

Andalusian Black Cattle Farming

By
Andalusian Black cattle farming is not too popular, even in it's native area. It is a relatively rare breed which is valued for meat production. But today, the breed is listed as 'endangered', and total number of the breed is very less. The Andalusian Black cattle is a taurine cattle breed, and it was originated in west Andalusia, Spain. It is also known by some other names such as Negra de las Campiñas, Negra Campiñesa and Spanish: Negra Andaluza. The Andalusian Black cattle is actually a beef cattle breed which is raised primarily for meat production purpose. The breed is found in two main areas of west Andalusia (from Cordova to the foothills of the Sierra Morena), and in the provinces of Seville, Cádiz and Huelva. Today, total population of the Andalusian Black cattle breed is very less. And there were about 800 purebred cattle in the year of 2007. Total number of this breed decreased mainly for crossbreeding with other local cattle breeds. Other reason...
Post a Comment
Read more

Belted Galloway Cattle Farming

By
Belted Galloway cattle farming is popular, especially in it's native area. It is a beef cattle breed and raised mainly for meat production purpose. The breed is also known by some other names such as Beltie, Oreo Cow and Panda Cow. The Belted Galloway cattle breed was originated from Galloway in the west side of Southern Scotland. It is a heritage breed, and is well adapted to living on the poor upland pastures and wildswept moorlands of the region. Exact origins of the breed are unclear. But it is often surmised that the white belt of the breed may be a result of cross breeding with the Dutch Lakenvelder belted cattle. And the breed is named so mainly because of the belt. An association for the breed named the Belted Galloway Association was formed in 1921 in Scotland. And the name of the association was changed to Belted Galloway Society in the year of 1951. The association keeps and records pedigrees for Belted Galloways and oversees the registration of White and Re...
Post a Comment
Read more

Cleaning A Cow

By
Cleaning a cow in the proper way can keep the animal look and feel fresh. Cleaning also help to prevent external parasites. You may also need to clean your cow to show it off at your local county fair or other occasions. And you need to clean your cows more often especially if you have dairy cows. You can integrate a spraying system for cleaning a cow once a day or so. Along with cleaning the body, you should also provide a footbath for better health of the cow's hooves. However, here we are describing more about the process of cleaning a cow. Sprinkler System Add Sprinkler in a Pre-milking Wash Pen You can construct a pre-milking wash pen with sprinklers for cleaning multiple cows. In this system, install sprinklers all along the pen you hold the cows in before milking. Using concrete for the floor will be good. It will help to keep the floor dry quickly and you will not have a constantly muddy area. You should spray sprinklers both up and down to wash the cows th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Agerolese Cattle Farming

By
Agerolese cattle farming is not common, even in it's native area. It is a dairy cattle breed which is raised mainly for milk production purpose in it's native area. It is a pretty rare breed and not available outside it's native area. The Agerolese cattle is actually from the area of Agerola, in Campania in southern Italy. It was developed from cross-breeding of indigenous Podolica cattle with Bruna Italiana, Italian Holstein-Friesian and Jersey cattle. The breed is particularly associated with the Sorrento Peninsula and Monti Lattari. The Agerolese cattle is one of the 16 minor Italian cattle breeds of limited diffusion recognized and protected by the Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e Forestali, the Italian ministry of agriculture. There were a total of 200 animals available according to a census completed on 1 January 2002. And the conservation status of the Agerolese cattle breed was reported by the FAO as 'endangered-maintained' in 200...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ankole-Watusi Cattle Farming

By
Ankole-Watusi cattle farming is pretty popular, especially in it's native area. It is a multi-purpose breed of domestic cattle which is raised and valued for show, draught, meat and milk production purpose. The Ankole-Watusi cattle is a landrace breed, a type of Sanga cattle and originally native to East Africa. It is also known as Ankole Longhorn, and also sometimes known simply as Ankole or Watusi. Ankole-Watusi cattle is actually an ancient breed, and ancient rock paintings and depictions of these animals have been observed in the Sahara region and in the Egyptian arts and pyramid walls. The Sanga breed has spread to the Sudan, Uganda, Kenya and some other parts of Eastern Africa, becoming the base stock of the indigenous African cattle populations. It has most of the usual Zebu characteristics such as the pendulous dewlap and sheath, hump of variable size and the upturned horns. The Ankole-Watusi cattle have played a very important role in the lives of various ...
Post a Comment
Read more