Determining the water productivity of saffron in the poles of production of this product in Iran

The main purpose of this project was to measure the amount of saffron consumed water in farms managed by farmers in Razavi and South Khorasan provinces. 126 farms in two provinces were selected in two years (2017 & 2019). The amount of water consumed by saffron in the selected farms was measured by visiting the farms, completing the questionnaire, recording the irrigation program and measuring the water source discharge. Water requirement of saffron in different regions was calculated and compared with the amount of water consumed by farmers. Analysis of variance was used to investigate possible differences in yield, irrigation water and water productivity in saffron production. Analysis of the results showed that yield, volume of applied water and water productivity of saffron in two provinces was not significantly different. The average saffron yield, water productivity and water productivity plus effective rainfall were 8.3 kg/ha, 1.9 and 1.37 g/m3, respectively. The average irrigation water consumption was 4628 and 4594 m3/ha in the Razavi and South Khorasan provinces, respectively and the average of water consumed in two provinces was 4603 m3/ha. The range of water use changes in selected farms was high and between 1543 and 8914 m3/ha. In order to improve water productivity in saffron production in Iran, it is possible to increase yield per unit area or reduce water consumption per unit area with appropriate solutions. The average irrigation efficiency in the saffron farms of the two provinces was 55 percent.