Saffron Growing - Is It Viable On A Small Scale

[tim armstrong]

I know Thailand is one of the few places in the world now producing Saffron. I also know its very labour intensive and weather sensitive. Does anyone have any experience of growing it ? As its so expensive I imagine there may be a closed shop mentality to marketing, but I don't know. Interested in thoughts and comments.

Tim

[Maizefarmer]

It is grown in Chang Mai - in climate controlled glass houses (primarily because the winter is cool and you are away from the worst of Thailands humidty) - thats the key to making a success of it in Thailand's weather & bug enviorment isolation from bugs and variable weather.

Read:

www.crop.cri.nz/home/products-services/publications/broadsheets/020Saffron.pdf - looks interesting.

MF

[tim armstrong]

It is grown in Chang Mai - in climate controlled glass houses (primarily because the winter is cool and you are away from the worst of Thailands humidty) - thats the key to making a success of it in Thailand's weather & bug enviorment isolation from bugs and variable weather.

Read:

www.crop.cri.nz/home/products-services/publications/broadsheets/020Saffron.pdf - looks interesting.

MF

Thanks for that, I suspected there may be a few 'small' problems. Tim

[Maizefarmer]

The few small problems you rightly note are exactly why the stuff commands the price it does - give it try, it's a small volume crop that logistically is easy to export to Europe and commands a good price.

MF

[Rinrada]

Sounds like a good one to try.....

Finally getting a bit of a decent crop especially mangos ans bananas.

We took about 25 kilos back to blighty ...picked in about 10 minutes and they are crackers ..everyone wants one

Checked the prices at our local Supermarker.....99p each....and they are only half the size of ours...

incid I have said NO pesticides etc......so.....couple of picts ......anyone for a glass of mango juice...?