Does saffron have soil in our country?

Saffron is called the "king of medicines," the "emperor of spices," "red gold," the "flower of paradise" – because it is the most expensive spice in the world and for centuries its price on the stock exchange has been double that of gold. The cultivation of the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus), from whose flowers the spice is obtained, is taking its first steps in Bulgaria. The pioneer in this endeavor is Rhodope native Hassan Tahirov. Saffron is similar to the crocus, known in our lands; it lies dormant during the summer and blooms in October. The flowers, which are of interest to the industry, are harvested in early November, and the stigmas, which are the final product, are separated from them.

Farmers who decide to cultivate saffron crocus are entitled to European subsidies. Interest in saffron crocus is constantly growing because it guarantees additional income for farmers engaged in tobacco cultivation. The bulbs can be planted after the tobacco harvest is collected.

So far, 1,000 decares of demonstration fields have been established across the country – in the Ruse region, in Ludogorie, in the Ruse region, and in the Kardzhali region, where farmers will be trained. Specialists from the experimental field near Plovdiv have analyzed the soils in the Kardzhali region; their opinion is that they are very suitable for saffron cultivation. Thirty sites in the Eastern Rhodopes have also been designated for testing saffron across the entire Kardzhali region. "Saffron is similar to the crocus, known in our lands; it lies dormant during the summer and blooms in October. The flowers, which are of interest to the industry, are harvested in early November, and the stigmas, which are the final product, are separated from them.

The Bulgarian National Association of Saffron Producers has already been registered. Its headquarters are in Kardzhali. Now that it is a fact, Hassan Tahirov plans to hold a major forum in Sofia. According to him, since state institutions are slowly deciding how to support the cultivation of saffron crocus, those who wish to engage in this business can start with small areas and with their own funding.