Study of socio-economic effects of ten years research on saffron (Crocus sativus L.).

摘要

The Department of Agriculture and Food Technology in the Khorasan Research Institute for Food Science and Technology has been conducting research on different aspects of saffron since 1987. This involves more than 25 projects including on agronomy and post-harvest. The present study evaluates the rate of transfer of the research findings to the saffron production sector as well as its effects on quantitative and qualitative aspects and farmer income. Necessary data were collected from saffron farmers, experts, technicians and agricultural extension engineers using a questionnaire. The present situation was evaluated through an analysis of the socio-economic characteristics of local people and the application of investment criteria and regression analysis. Results show that investment on saffron research projects is very economical, because it increases the yield and income for farmers. In order to improve the situation, investment on saffron research projects is recommended as well as the strengthening of extension to transfer new findings to the saffron farmers.