The Role of Saffron as a Strategic Product in the Livelihoods of Rural Households of Iran (The Case of Bajestan Township)

Nowadays، a big proportion of incomes of non-oil exports are obtained through the agriculture section. Moreover، this section has a comparative advantage over other sections due to its high employment، not requiring high-tech in various stages of production and less need to foreign exchange. Meanwhile، saffron as the most expensive agricultural and medicinal product of the world with high revenue–generation compared to other agricultural products plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of rural households. Therefore، the aim of the present study is to assess the status of saffron production and its role in the livelihoods of rural households of Bajestan Township. This research has employed a descriptive-analytical method and its related field studies have taken place in two levels of village and households and the status of production and the role of saffron in livelihoods of 358 households residing in 17 villages with a population of over 20 households as selected samples are investigated. In order to reach these goals، a wide range of economic، social and environmental indicators matched with the situations in the target villages were identified. Also، gathering of data in the sample villages and households is done based on the selected indices and through questionnaires. To analyze the data، the softwares of expert choice، SPSS، ArcGIS and the AHP model were used. The results show that revenues obtained from saffron production is more than other revenues in 29 percent of the target households. Moreover the results of the study show that the final yield has been increased during the last 10 years among 46. 7% of these households and has been declined or not changed during this period of time among the other households.