Iranian Deputy Minister Highlights Policies to Protect Saffron Farmers
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Deputy Minister of Agricultural Jihad said his organization supported the country’s saffron farmers by purchasing their products with supportive prices.
Hossein Shirzad, who is also the chief executive officer of the Central Organization for Rural cooperatives of Iran, said CORC was able to facilitate saffron transactions in Iran agricultural commodity exchange.
Shirzad said that the value chain of saffron has provided 200,000 jobs directly and indirectly.
The majority of Iran saffron is cultivated by small scale farmers on more than 114000-hectare saffron farms located in deprived rural areas.
"Definitely the small scale saffron farmers need strategic support to be empowered enough to sell their crops on the fair price basis," the official asserted.
Confirming that saffron is a high-value product, Shirzad said exports of saffron have generated over $351 million income in 2018, adding that it is anticipated the saffron production will fetch to 500 tons that are an impressive record.
However, he said, taking supportive measures to protect farmers against price falls due to excess production is necessary.
Shirzad further said that contract farming, development of standard storages and organic farming are the new services that are provided by CORC to boost saffron business.