GONABAD, Khorasan Province Saffron planters in Gonabad, northeastern Iran, say they are selling the corms of their crops to prevent the loss they may incur as a result of drought.
Some of the farmers told IRNA that saffron planters from other areas of the province are buying the corms.
Reza Asgarzadeh Kakhaki, a saffron planter in Kakhak, near Gonabad, who has a one-hectare farm of saffron, said, "saffron growers will incur a loss due to this year's drought." He added, "I sold the corms of my saffron to planters in Torbat-Heidarieh and Kashmar." Hossein Adjam, another saffron grower in the village of Zibod said the reduction of water level in the village aqueducts' (subterranean canals) has made it impossible to irrigate the farms on time.
The Director of Agriculture Office in Gonabad, Esmaeil Tajabadi confirmed that the corms of saffron are being sold and said, "Every day, dozens of vehicles carry the corms to other areas." He added around 10,000 people in Gonabad earn their living through saffron plantation but this year's drought and severe heat spell will reduce the saffron production by 50 percent.
(IRNA)