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Taliouine is a town located in the
Taroudant province southwest of Morocco. The bulk of the saffron
flowers are grown in Suktana, an area immediately outside of
Taliouine. The fields amass into approximately 1000 hectares of
saffron crocus fields. About 2.5 tons of saffron are produced each year in
the Suktana region. The saffron fields are divided up among
household, some households own more fields than others. The saffron
bulbs are planted in piles of three, 20 cm apart and about 15 cm
deep. Only natural fertilizer is used largely composed of sheep and
cow manure. No artificial chemicals are used on the saffron fields.
The saffron is certified organic by an Italian company, the Istituto
Mediterraneo di Certificazione. This company is accredited by the USDA.
10,000 square meters of land contains about 5 tons of bulbs. One hectare produces about 10 kg of saffron. Quality is determined by color and smell. The color of saffron should be golden yellow when rubbed on a piece of paper. The saffron dries, away from direct sunlight, for one to two days after harvest. In the first year of planting one hectare of land can produce 4 kilos of saffron. After five years the saffron is uprooted and replanted because each bulb produces two more, thus 4 tons of bulbs will yield 15 tons in 5 years. The saffron fields are watered 12 times a year; watered once a month.
The saffron is harvested 20 days in October. Women pick the flowers and harvest the saffron from their respective fields. The saffron from the previous harvest is usually sold since fresh saffron still contains water i.e. a kilogram of fresh saffron will be half a kilogram in a few months once the water has evaporated. The local market price for saffron varies; however the association buys the saffron at 1 MAD more per gram from the locals. The saffron can last up to 4 to 6 years in a dry air-tight container.The saffron fields are individually owned and maintained by each household. The association is a local body that is owned and operated by Suktana/Taliouine residents.
10,000 square meters of land contains about 5 tons of bulbs. One hectare produces about 10 kg of saffron. Quality is determined by color and smell. The color of saffron should be golden yellow when rubbed on a piece of paper. The saffron dries, away from direct sunlight, for one to two days after harvest. In the first year of planting one hectare of land can produce 4 kilos of saffron. After five years the saffron is uprooted and replanted because each bulb produces two more, thus 4 tons of bulbs will yield 15 tons in 5 years. The saffron fields are watered 12 times a year; watered once a month.
The saffron is harvested 20 days in October. Women pick the flowers and harvest the saffron from their respective fields. The saffron from the previous harvest is usually sold since fresh saffron still contains water i.e. a kilogram of fresh saffron will be half a kilogram in a few months once the water has evaporated. The local market price for saffron varies; however the association buys the saffron at 1 MAD more per gram from the locals. The saffron can last up to 4 to 6 years in a dry air-tight container.The saffron fields are individually owned and maintained by each household. The association is a local body that is owned and operated by Suktana/Taliouine residents.