Saffron Cultivation Using the Aeroponic Method Implemented in Shadkhal Village, Shaft

Shaft – The head of the Gilan Agricultural Jihad Organization announced the implementation of saffron cultivation using the new aeroponic method in Shadkhal village, Shaft County.

In a conversation with Mehr reporter, Saleh Mohammadi said: Saffron cultivation by aeroponic method, as one of the new ways of producing agricultural products, is being implemented in Shadkhal village of Shaft city. The method that removes soil from the initial cultivation stage of saffron onion, provides the possibility of managing environmental conditions and reducing water consumption.

Head of Gilan Province Agricultural Jihad Organization, pointing to the importance of using new technologies in the agricultural sector, emphasized the need to identify new production capacities, support innovative ideas and use methods suited to the climatic conditions of the province.

He continued: The implementation of this project in Shaft city is an example of efforts to develop new ways of producing agricultural products in Gilan. A province that has natural resources and diverse production capacities doubles the necessity of optimal use of space and resources in agricultural activities.

Cultivation of saffron without soil in a controlled environment

In a conversation with the Mehr reporter, Feridoon Homainejad, the manager of this project, referring to his education in the field of medicinal plants, stated: The idea of implementing this method was proposed with the help of a number of activists and university graduates, and after examining and obtaining technical information, preparations were made for its launch.

He added: About 700 million Tomans have been invested for the initial setup of this unit, and the current space for growing saffron onions is about 80 square meters.

The operator of the saffron aeroponic cultivation project in Shaft stated that in this method, the onions are placed in special shelves after cleaning and disinfection, and said: Next, the environmental conditions, including temperature and humidity, are controlled, and foliar spraying and feeding of the onions are carried out at different stages of growth to provide the ground for saffron flowering.

Homainejad continued: In this way, saffron onion does not need soil in the initial stage of cultivation, and by managing the environmental conditions, it is possible to grow and flower in a controlled environment. After the end of the flowering period, the bulbs are transferred to the ground to grow and multiply to prepare for the next periods of production.

Pointing to the advantages of this method, he said: reducing the need for water in the initial breeding stage, optimal use of limited space, and the possibility of working in indoor environments are the characteristics of this method. Also, by multiplying onions in the field cultivation stage, the production capacity can be increased in the coming years. M

Stating that this activity is in the first year of its implementation, Jerry Teh added: If the necessary conditions are met, the plan to develop the production space and increase the number of saffron onions will be on the agenda. Also, the possibility of supplying saffron onion and saffron flower increases the economic capacity of this activity.

Development capacity of new crops in Gilan

"Mohammed Kazemzadeh" in charge of plant production of Jihad Agriculture of Shaft city, in a conversation with Mehr reporter, referring to the implementation of this project, stated: Growing saffron onions by aeroponic method is a new experience in Gilan province, and examining the production results in this unit can provide a basis for better understanding of the capabilities of this method.

He added: Considering that the plan is in its first year of implementation, it is important to evaluate the amount of production and performance of onions in different stages, to decide on the development of this method.

The head of plant production of Jihad Agriculture of Shaft city, by inviting interested people and producers to familiarize themselves with this method, stated: Agricultural sector activists can evaluate the possibility of using it according to their production capacities by examining the technical and economic conditions of this method and receiving expert advice.

According to him, the experts of the plant products department of agricultural jihad can help the applicants in the field of providing technical guidance and checking the development capacities of this activity. The implementation of saffron aeroponic cultivation in the village of Shadkhal Shaft, if the desired results are achieved, can be a basis for the development of new methods of growing agricultural products in Gilan; A matter whose realization requires a detailed evaluation of performance, production costs and economic justification of the project in the following periods.