NUUS | BROKKIES
90 % The market share of saffron that Spain and Iran produce .
385 The amount of saffron trial packs sold to prospective farmers in South Africa , as well as Botswana , Namibia , Lesotho and Zambia since its introduction last year .
20
million The amount of corms
that have been planted to date with the Saffricon project .
Saffricon has sold about 385 saffron trial packs to prospective farmers in all nine provinces as well as Botswana , Namibia , Lesotho and Zambia since its introduction last year . The purpose of these packs is to allow farmers to test the viability of saffron cultivation before considering farming on a larger scale . Each pack contains approximately 500 to 700 prepared corms as well as a plant and grower ’ s manual , fertilizer , Agri Technovation support via LAC , a NviroTek and Agri Technovation soil analysis kit and access to the Myfarmweb platform to monitor data .
There are currently 12 commercial saffron farmers on board that have planted from as few as 1 000 corms to as many as 600 000 .
Liebenberg says a total of 20 million corms have been planted to date . Once a year , under favourable conditions , each corm multiplies underground about three times . “ To put this into context ; one hectare planted with corms will have enough corms by year four for 24 hectares of planting ,” he explains .
“ It is crucial we have an overarching body to oversee the industry , especially as more saffron farmers come on board and the industry grows ,” he explains . The association will be supported by an interim committee to promulgate its constitution
28 GROND TOT MOND FEB | MRT 2023