UAE to grow world’s most expensive spice in the largest saffron vertical farm in the region
Production cycle of the seasoning will span across 3 months, from mid-August to mid-November, after which the bulbs will be shifted to the greenhouse
By Somya Mehta
Khalegi Times
Nov 1, 2022
Excerpt:
The smart saffron indoor farm also promises eco-friendly measures, yielding healthier crops, without using fertiliser and pesticides, with reduced land use and minimum water consumption, to ensure a more sustainable production cycle. According to the senior farm manager, each bulb of saffron is likely to give 2-3 stands of saffron, through propagation process. “This year, we’re just starting out, but next year, we’ll increase the bulb quantity to about 12-15, yelling even better results,” he added.
“In the indoor farming space equivalent to 1 hectare, there are approx. 5 tonnes of saffron bulbs, and for 1,000 kg of saffron, we get 1 kg of saffron,” said Mohammad Rashid, farm manager, Veggitech.
Harsh climate and seasonal changes have been some of the biggest challenges the Veggitech team has faced to set-up the saffron farm, to which, incorporating smart built-in systems for farm management have been paramount.
His excellency Dr His Excellency Dr. Engineer Khalifa Musabeh Ahmed Alteneiji, chairman of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock in Sharjah, who was also in attendance at the launch of UAE’s first-ever saffron farm, said: “We look forward seeing our very own saffron farm. To grow zafran, a spice that is savoured and cherished locally, in our very own country is a matter of pride for us. We can’t wait to see zafran going in the UAE.”
