Economics and Marketing
Arash Dourandish; Mohammadreza Ramezani; Milad Aminizadeh
Abstract
Increasing factor productivity in the agricultural sector is essential, and with the growing population, the need to invent more productive systems is highlighted. However, agronomic activities have always been accompanied by environmental impacts. Therefore, the two categories of productivity and agricultural ...
Read More
Increasing factor productivity in the agricultural sector is essential, and with the growing population, the need to invent more productive systems is highlighted. However, agronomic activities have always been accompanied by environmental impacts. Therefore, the two categories of productivity and agricultural sustainability should be considered simultaneously. The present study aimed at identifying factors affecting the total factor productivity of saffron farms in Gonabad County with an emphasis on the role of attitude towards sustainable agriculture. In order to achieve the research objectives, 110 questionnaires were completed and after calculating the total factor productivity using the Tornqvist-Theil index, an Ordered-logit model was used to identify factors affecting productivity. The results indicate that attitudes toward sustainable agriculture and income have positive and significant effects on farmers' access to higher levels of productivity, while variable of participation in training courses significantly reduces the probability of achieving higher levels of productivity. Variables of sown area, agricultural insurance and main job do not have significant effects on the probability of achieving different levels of productivity. Undertaking policies which improve attitude of saffron producers towards sustainable agricultural activities and informing them about the effects of unsustainable farming, a fundamental revision of the content of training courses, financial support of farmers for provision of agricultural inputs and reforming the structure of the agricultural insurance system are effective ways to improve productivity of saffron production.
Processing, food industry and biochemistry
Hamed Reza Beheshti; Javad Feizi; Mahnaz Zhiany Asgharzadeh; Somayeh Sadat Fakoor Janati
Abstract
In this paper, method based on high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection has been suggested to measure aflatoxin in saffron. This method required a simple extraction of aflatoxin using MeOH/H2O (80:20, v/v) and a purification by immunoaffinity column cleanup. Aflatoxin measurement ...
Read More
In this paper, method based on high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection has been suggested to measure aflatoxin in saffron. This method required a simple extraction of aflatoxin using MeOH/H2O (80:20, v/v) and a purification by immunoaffinity column cleanup. Aflatoxin measurement was performed at an emission wavelength of 445 nm and an excitation wavelength of 365 nm. Detection limits for AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 were 0.293, 0.08, 0.55, and 0.30 ng g-1, respectively. The percentage of Relative standard deviations for measuring aflatoxin is in the range of 1.33-5.10 % and the percentage of recovery is in the range of 94-67. Regarding The overall results of high-performance liquid chromatography applied in this experiment, we can realize that this method can be used for detection and measurement of different kinds of aflatoxins in saffron.
Agriculture
Mehdi Bashiri; Amir Salari
Abstract
Saffron is one of the most economical and highly valuable plant species in Iran. About 80 percent of the total export of saffron in the world originates in the Khorasan Razavi province. The demand for higher production, limitations of climatologicalresources, soil and waterhave caused the officials who ...
Read More
Saffron is one of the most economical and highly valuable plant species in Iran. About 80 percent of the total export of saffron in the world originates in the Khorasan Razavi province. The demand for higher production, limitations of climatologicalresources, soil and waterhave caused the officials who are in charge of agriculture to seek for areas that are potential candidates for the cultivation of saffron by means of precise, rapid and analytical methods. In the present study, geostatistical interpolation methods are used for climatological-ecological zoning of agricultural lands in the Khorasan Razavi province that are suitable candidates for saffron cultivation. To this aim, climatological and ecological requirements of saffron cultivation are first determined based on available scientific references. Then the necessary data are prepared. In the present study, an effort has been made in the spatial modeling and interpolation of the areas that are potential candidates for saffron cultivation based on the yield per unit area in 8 counties of the province during the 1989-1990 to 2008-2009 crop years and the 11 climatological parameters that affect saffron growth and blossom in the mentioned period of time. Based on the results, the maximum absolute humidity has been selected as the best covariate. The modeling of crop yield and the evaluation of the models were performed using geostatistical methods in GS+ software. Finally, the prepared zoning map showed that the geostatistical methods used are suitable choices for determination and zoning of areas that are suitable candidates for the development of saffron cultivation. The results for zoning have showed that a third of the southern areas in the Khorasan Razavi province (especially in the Gonabad county) have the maximum cultivation potential from the viewpoint of climatology, and in the northern direction of the province (especially in the Quchan and Binaloud counties) the value of land decreases considering its potential suitability for saffron cultivation.
Agriculture
Fatemeh Fani Yazdi; Naser Mahdavi Shahri; Khadije Nejad Shahrokhabadi; Amin Fani Yazdi; Saeed Jahedi Pour
Abstract
Saffron (Crocus sativusL.), a native plant from Iran and especially of Khorasan region, has a specific place for people's diet. According to several studies about effects of saffron and because there are no specific studies on the effects of saffron aqueos extract on the development of Drosophila melanogaster ...
Read More
Saffron (Crocus sativusL.), a native plant from Iran and especially of Khorasan region, has a specific place for people's diet. According to several studies about effects of saffron and because there are no specific studies on the effects of saffron aqueos extract on the development of Drosophila melanogaster as an animal model, this subject evaluated in conversion of larvae to pupa and pupa to mature of fruit flies. 5 pairs of 3-day-old wild D. melanogaster were transferred to every culture plate containing different concentrations of saffron aqueos extract in order to intercross and oviposition and were brought out after 8 hrs. The percent of larvae to pupa transitionand pupa to mature conversion, were evaluated in all concentrations. The obtained data were evaluated statistically using SAS software and the mean of data were compared using Tukey test with minimum significance level of pD. elanogaster depends on dose proportionately. It means that saffron has some effects on the percentage of conversion of larvae to pupa, pupa to mature in low volumes and increased consuming concentrations of saffron may have inverse effects on that.
Other subject about saffron
Abbas Mohammadi; Simin Najjar; Fahime Sangi Kazem Abad
Abstract
Saffron is the most important medicinal plants in the Khorasan Razavi and South Khorasan provinces, Iran. Aspergillus species can infect saffron tissues during harvesting, storage and transportation. Aflatoxin B1 is one of the important carcinogenic mycotoxin which is produced by Aspergillus species ...
Read More
Saffron is the most important medicinal plants in the Khorasan Razavi and South Khorasan provinces, Iran. Aspergillus species can infect saffron tissues during harvesting, storage and transportation. Aflatoxin B1 is one of the important carcinogenic mycotoxin which is produced by Aspergillus species in saffron tissues. This study was carried out in order to investigate the production of aflatoxin B1 in saffron tissues from farm to food by TLC chromatography during the year 2015. Wet and dry saffron tissues and rice grains (with and without saffron extract) were inoculated with Aspergillus flavus spore suspensions. Production of Aflatoxin B1 in inoculated tissues was investigated by the TLC chromatography method. The results showed that the wet leaves and rice grains were infected with Aspergillus species very quickly. However, this process was very slow in dry tissues. Aflatoxin B1 was detected in all of the tested samples. The amounts of Aflatoxin B1 in the wet saffron tissues and rice grains were more than those found in dry tissues and saffron rice, respectively. The amount of Aflatoxin B1 had a direct correlation with moisture in the environment and the tissues. The contamination of the tissues and production of AflatoxinB1 were increased with increasing the amount of moisture. The results showed that the packaging of saffron before complete drying of its tissue or storing it in conditions with high humidity can increase the risk of infection with the Aspergillus species and production of Aflatoxin B1 in them. Based on our data, saffron can reduce Aspergillus infection and aflatoxin B1 production but not inhibit it. Saffron extract reduces Aspergillus infection and Aflatoxin B1 production in food and grains.
Agriculture
Seyyed Alireza Musavi; Hassan Feizi; Ahmad Ahmadian; Ebrahim Izadi Darbandi
Abstract
In order to examine the allopathic effects of saffron organs on the growth and germination of two species of Hordeum murinum L. and Descurainia sophia L. weeds, an experiment was done in the school of agriculture of the University of Torbat Haydarieh, Iran. The experiment was done as factorial in a completely ...
Read More
In order to examine the allopathic effects of saffron organs on the growth and germination of two species of Hordeum murinum L. and Descurainia sophia L. weeds, an experiment was done in the school of agriculture of the University of Torbat Haydarieh, Iran. The experiment was done as factorial in a completely randomized design with four replications with different levels of organs (leaf, corm and a combination of leaf and corm) and extract concentration (zero, 1, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 percent). The results indicated that saffron extract has negative effects on growth and germination parameters such as the length and weight of the root, stem and seedlings, the speed of germination, the percentage of germination, the seed vigor index and the number of normal seeds in both species of weeds. The highest germination rate was shown by Hordeum murinum (10.48) that was obtained in the 2.5 percent application in the leaf and corm extractions. In addition, in this weed the highest seed vigor index (21.75) was seen in the application of 2.5 percent of leaf extraction and the lowest seed vigor index was obtained (10.75) in the 20 percent application of leaf and corm extractions. In the D. sophia L. weed the highest seed vigor index was 21 and the number of normal seeds was 15.75, respectively, in the one percent concentration of leaf and corm and the 2.5 percent concentration in the corm extraction and its lowest value was seen in the 20 percent of leaf and corm extraction. The application of leaf and corm combination extraction in comparison with leaf and root separately, significantly lead to a reduction of the germination traits. On the whole, its seems that using the saffron extracts in the concentrations of 10 and 20 percent significantly affect the growth and development of Hordeum murinum and Descurainia sophia weeds negatively in the germination stage.
Processing, food industry and biochemistry
Zahra Afraze; Marzieh Bolandi; Mehdi Khorshidi; Abdorreza Mohammadi Nafchi
Abstract
The medicinal plants are important sources of antioxidants. Natural antioxidants increase the antioxidant capacity of the plasma and reduce the risk of certain diseases such as cancer, heart diseases and stroke. Synthetic antioxidants commonly used in processed foods have side effects and are toxic. ...
Read More
The medicinal plants are important sources of antioxidants. Natural antioxidants increase the antioxidant capacity of the plasma and reduce the risk of certain diseases such as cancer, heart diseases and stroke. Synthetic antioxidants commonly used in processed foods have side effects and are toxic. Therefore, there is a need for more effective, less toxic and cost effective antioxidants derived from medicinal plants. Saffron petal is a rich plant source of polyphenolic compounds. Hence, this research was conducted for studying the antioxidant properties and phenolic compositions of saffron petal. In this study, saffron petal extraction was prepared by ethanol, methanol (30, 70 and 90%) and water. The phenolic compositions were determined using Folin-ciocalteau method. In next step, antioxidant activity evaluated using generates free radical of DPPH. The results showed that the type and contents of solvent significantly affect the phenolic values and antioxidant activity.Also there was a significant relation between phenolic compound content and radical scavenging activity. Moreover, the antioxidant activity and phenolic compound concentration were increased by increasing solvent concentration. Finally, it was concluded that the ethanol extract could be considered as a effective solvent for the maximum extraction of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity.
Economics and Marketing
seyed hosein Mohammadzadeh; Alireza Karbasi; Hossein Mohammadi
Abstract
Recent multi-year experiences in Iran show that reliance on income from the sale of crude oil leads to instability in export earnings. In order to reduce the dependence of the Iranian economy on crude oil exports, export policies should be directed towards export of non-oil ...
Read More
Recent multi-year experiences in Iran show that reliance on income from the sale of crude oil leads to instability in export earnings. In order to reduce the dependence of the Iranian economy on crude oil exports, export policies should be directed towards export of non-oil commodities, including exports of agricultural products. Saffron is one of the most important export items of the agricultural sector and medicinal plants. However, its production and export has not grown exponentially in recent years despite growing allocation of land and production. The results of various studies in have shown that one of the main reasons for failure of Iranian companies in the world market for exporting medicinal herbs is decline in competitiveness in these markets in recent years. Therefore, this study seeks to examine factors affecting competitiveness of Iran's saffron exporting companies in global markets. Competitiveness measurements using symmetric revealed comparative advantage index and analysis of its influencing factors were analyzed using the Porter Diamond Competitive Model and Fractional Logit Panel regression model. The statistics and data were collected through collecting questionnaires from 35 saffron exporter companies for 2011-2016. The results showed that the six components of the Porter diamond model including demand conditions, factor conditions, supporting industries, firm strategy, state and unpredictable events affect the competitive situation of the companies under study. Accordingly, observance of quantitative and qualitative export standards, prevention of fluctuations in the price of saffron, reduction of exchange rate fluctuations in line with government policies, reduction of production fluctuations due to climate change by providing technical solutions and sufficient attention of companies to marketing strategies are proposed as new ways to improve the competitive situation of the companies being studied.
Economics and Marketing
Amin Nezamoleslami; Lili Abolhassani; Naser Shahnoushi; Alireza Karbasi; Dariush Khezrimotlagh
Abstract
The production of saffron as one of the most expensive agricultural and pharmaceutical products in the world has a high comparative advantage. Considering the importance of producing this product in Iran as an important non-oil export commodity and its role as a strategic, the estimation of the indirect ...
Read More
The production of saffron as one of the most expensive agricultural and pharmaceutical products in the world has a high comparative advantage. Considering the importance of producing this product in Iran as an important non-oil export commodity and its role as a strategic, the estimation of the indirect environmental costs associated with the emission of its pollutants is necessary. The purpose of this study was to calculate the environmental costs of greenhouse gas emissions in Saffron farms in the Torbat Hadiriyah township. In order to collect data (such as chemical fertilizers, irrigation, labor, animal manure and gasoline) a questionnaire and face-to-face interviews were used in the crop years 2017 and 2018.To investigate the relationship between good and bad output, the distance function is used as a parametric form of the translog. The results show that global warming potential (GWP) was calculated to be 369/24 kg equivalent to CO2 per kilogram of saffron straw. Also the environmental cost of greenhouse gases, methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide per hectare, according to a seven-year period, are: 77/888/700, 212/742/820 and 76/289/200 Rials, respectively. In total, the production of saffron over a seven-year period imposes an expense of 366/920/720 million Rials on the environment regarding the emission of greenhouse gases. This is equal to 52/417/240 million Rials for a crop year in per one hectare. About 21% of the income earned per hectare. In the end, it is suggested that the tax policy on fertilizers and soil tillage systems be reviewed and analyzed to reduce the environmental impacts of the saffron production system.
Economics and Marketing
Fatemeh Rastegaripour; Alireza Karbasi; Ahmad Ahmadian
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to designing the strategic plans of the Saffron institute of the university of Torbat-e Heydarieh. The research method is analytical–descriptive. The size of the statistical sample for this research was n=50 including, principal and associate principal of the university ...
Read More
The purpose of this study is to designing the strategic plans of the Saffron institute of the university of Torbat-e Heydarieh. The research method is analytical–descriptive. The size of the statistical sample for this research was n=50 including, principal and associate principal of the university and the institute, staff, professors and experienced researchers who were selected by purposive sampling. Review of literature, study of documents, interviews, questionnaire, surveys, forms for determining strategic issues and strategic meetings were used for collecting data. The validity of the SWOT questionnaire was approved by several professors of sport management and experts and the reliability was confirmed according to Cronbach's alpha (α=0.91). For analyzing the data, descriptive statistics, Friedman test, Internal and External factor matrixes, SWOT analysis based on intuition and brainstorming were used for developing strategies. The results of this research showed saffron institute, university of Torbat-e Heydarieh has 7 strengths, 18 weaknesses, 7 opportunities, and 11 threats. Accordingly, subjects such as mission statements, vision statements, and long – terms objectives, core values, strategic situation, strategies and plans were determined. In addition, the analysis of internal and external matrix showed that this office is located in the Weakness-Opportunities (WO) position.
Agriculture
Mahsa Aghhavani Shajari; Parviz Rezvani Moghaddam; Alireza Koocheki; Hamid-Reza Fallahi; Reza Taherpour Kalantari
Abstract
This experiment was conducted to study the effect of soil texture on flower and corm yield of saffron. This experiment was carried out based on Randomized Complete Block Design with four treatments and four replications in box at Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, in 2011. ...
Read More
This experiment was conducted to study the effect of soil texture on flower and corm yield of saffron. This experiment was carried out based on Randomized Complete Block Design with four treatments and four replications in box at Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, in 2011. Treatments included of: 1- 100% field soil + cow manure, 2- 70% field soil + 30% sand, 3- 70% field soil + 30% sand + cow manure and 4- 70% sand + 30% field soil + cow manure. Results showed that the effect of soil texture was significant on all flower and corm properties. The highest flower and stigma fresh weight per box (1.59 and 0.10 g, respectively) and petal dry weight (0.12 g) were observed in 70% sand + 30% field soil + cow manure. The highest corm number in 2-3 cm diameter per box was obtained in 70% field soil + 30% sand + cow manure (3.75 numbers). Treatment of 70% sand + 30% field soil + cow manure produced the highest corm number in 3-6 g (1.75 numbers) and 6-9 g (1.25 numbers) per box, but the lowest values of most studied indices were obtained in 100% field soil + cow manure. Generally, our results indicated that light soil texture has more advantages than heavy soil texture in saffron cultivation. Therefore, soil modification through lighter soil application can improve saffron flower and corm yield.
Economics and Marketing
Fatemeh Rastegaripour; Alireza Karbasi; Mohammad Ghorbani; fatemeh Rastegaripur
Abstract
Saffron is considered as an important crop for farmers of the Khorasan Razavi province due to the ability to create high employment and generate appropriate income. Problems of saffron producers in marketing and export has caused this product not to be in a good position in the world market despite its ...
Read More
Saffron is considered as an important crop for farmers of the Khorasan Razavi province due to the ability to create high employment and generate appropriate income. Problems of saffron producers in marketing and export has caused this product not to be in a good position in the world market despite its high quality. Therefore, the study of marketing mix as one of the most important factors affecting marketing of saffron in the region seems to be necessary. In order to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of marketing mix of saffron, a strategic factor analysis approach was used in this study. The required information was collected through face-to-face interviews and completing a questionnaire with managers and experts of saffron producing and exporting companies in Mashhad and Torbat Heydarieh cities in 2015. To investigate the validity of the questionnaire, the questionnaires were reviewed by supervisors and consultants and several experts. At first, some initial questions were completed and using the Cronbach's alpha method, the reliability coefficient was 0.79. The results of the internal factor matrix showed that the weaknesses overcome the strength and, according to the results of external factors matrix, the points of opportunity are superior to the threat. The results of the study showed that the increase in the value added due to saffron processing with a score of 0.57 and export value with a score of 0.54 are the most important strength and low purchase price of farmers with a score of 0.13 and a lack of knowledge of the price of competitors with a score of 0.11 are the most important weaknesses in marketing mix price. Also, the export of the product with different qualities based on the financial ability of target customers with a score of 0.32 and price determination based on the competitive and economic environment with 0.23 are most significant opportunities, and the volatility of the exchange rate with a score of 0.4 and a price fluctuation in the export market with a score of 0.36 are the most important current threats of saffron marketing. The general results obtained from the status analysis matrix indicate that the saffron processing factor strategies are defensive. Therefore, according to the results, the strategies of establishing a regional exchange market for saffron and long-term control of prices in export markets with the aim of paying attention to pricing and fair purchase are suggested.
Processing, food industry and biochemistry
Seid Meghdad Hashemi; Seid Mohamad Maassoumi; Hamid Reza Gasempour
Abstract
Saffron is one of the most important economic plants in the world that also has many pharmaceutical applications. Genus Crocus L. (Saffron) with about 90 species of the Iridaceae family in the northern hemisphere, especially in West Asia and Iran are scattered. The present study was to investigate the ...
Read More
Saffron is one of the most important economic plants in the world that also has many pharmaceutical applications. Genus Crocus L. (Saffron) with about 90 species of the Iridaceae family in the northern hemisphere, especially in West Asia and Iran are scattered. The present study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of extracts of various parts such as cover of corm, corm, perianth and stigma of the variety of saffron (C. sativus var. Haussknechtii) on some pathogenic microorganisms (Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas fluorescens, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus) extrusion. Plant specimens were collected from four different habitats of Kermanshah province and then were identified in the herbarium of Razi University. After preparing raw plant extract four different parts of the plants (cover of corm, corm, perianth, stigma) by soaking (maceration) were extracted. Microbial tests using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the broth micro-dilution method were determined. The results of analysis by statistical tests showed a significant correlation (001/0 <p) the increase in the concentration of alcoholic extracts there perianth saffron and inhibition zone diameter. Thus, Perianth methanol extract in Enterococcus (0/128) g ml, Salmonella and Staphylococcus (0/512) g ml has inhibitory effects against bacteria. Based on the findings of non-alcoholic extracts of different parts of a flower in this plant did not show antimicrobial properties. Thus perianth these wild saffron may be a good candidate for laboratory tests and isolation of active ingredients to achieve antimicrobial drugs, it is recommended.
Economics and Marketing
Naser Asiabani; Hamed Rafiee; Milad Aminizadeh; Elham Mehrparvar Hosseini
Abstract
Considering increasing competition in global markets, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of target markets for market planning. One of the factors influencing international marketing strategies selection is assessment of the market structure in importing countries. Therefore, this ...
Read More
Considering increasing competition in global markets, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of target markets for market planning. One of the factors influencing international marketing strategies selection is assessment of the market structure in importing countries. Therefore, this study has pursued two main goals of determining the market structure of important saffron importing countries and investigating the effect of this variable on Iranian saffron to further the research literature on saffron export as one of the most important export products of the Iranian agricultural sector. To achieve these objectives, the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index has been used to calculate the market structure and the gravity model has been applied to determine this variable’s impact on Iran's exports over the period of 2001-2017. Market structure results showed that out of the 16 main countries importing saffron, no country had a fully competitive structure and there was a degree of monopoly in all markets. Also, the results of changes in the market structure of saffron importing countries during the period of 2001-2010 and 2011-2017 showed that the market structure of 7 countries Argentina, China, Germany, Japan, Spain, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates have become more monopolistic and 9 other countries have got more competitive structures. According to the results of the gravity model, the market structure of the importing countries has had a significant effect on Iranian saffron exports and the more competitive target markets have caused reduction of Iranian saffron exports. Hence, as saffron target markets become more competitive, it is suggested that exporters pay more attention to improving their competitive components in the markets, especially packaging. In accordance with world standards, packaging should be based on the quality of the product and provide complete information for customers.
Agriculture
fereshteh yousofzadeh; Isa Jabaleh; Ali Olyaie torshiz; ahmad ahmadian
Abstract
According to the export of saffron (Crocus sativus.L) and superiority of organic products in the market, this study performed in order to assessment natural methods in control of saffron mite which is a major pest of saffron, was conducted in the saffron institute of Torbat university in 2014. In this ...
Read More
According to the export of saffron (Crocus sativus.L) and superiority of organic products in the market, this study performed in order to assessment natural methods in control of saffron mite which is a major pest of saffron, was conducted in the saffron institute of Torbat university in 2014. In this research has been studied effect of Bromopropylate and Propargite acaricides and Rosemary essential oil and Stinking assa resin on development steps of Rhizoglyphus robbini in four doases and six different times the peresence of acaricide (3, 6, 12,24,48,72 hours) in the factorial on complete randomized design and four replications. The laboratory condition was determined at photoperiod 16:8, humidity 65 ± 5 percentage and temperature 27 ± 2°C. Analysis results of data variance showed that the effects of treatments on mortality of egg ،larvae and mature mites were significant at the 1 percentage probability level. Also that Bromopropylate has maximum mortality percent among larvae and mature saffron mite. Also in this experiment time increasing and concentration increase mortality of larvae’s significantly. As well as the maximum percent of eggs failed to hatch related to Rosemary essential oil .Also larvae mortality percent was more than mature mite that had significant differences at 5% probability level .In this study was found Stinking assa resin has the greatest impact on the egg also Propargite and Bromopropilate have created the highest mortality on the larvae and adults respectively.
Seyaed Ehsan Yasrebi; Iman Zabbah; Behnaz Behzadiyan; Ali Maroosi; Roya Rezaie
Abstract
Saffron is an important commercial good in Iran and it is important to pay attention to its mechanization from production to packaging. Upon arrival of the saffron to the laboratory's qualitative process, an initial assessment is carried out by an expert on the basis of the apparent features. However, ...
Read More
Saffron is an important commercial good in Iran and it is important to pay attention to its mechanization from production to packaging. Upon arrival of the saffron to the laboratory's qualitative process, an initial assessment is carried out by an expert on the basis of the apparent features. However, human error in determining the quality of saffron based on its apparent features is inevitable; use of artificial intelligence techniques can be effective in reducing human errors while mechanizing the system. It was a diagnostic study and its database consisted of 113 samples of saffron with 7 features, which were collected by the researchers on October 2016 from the valid laboratory of Saffron and under the supervision of an expert. Sample qualitative analysis was performed with the help of features in 4 different classes including excellent, good, average and second grade average. Artificial neural networks have been used to classify saffron. After analyzing and comparing the generated models using multilayer perceptron neural networks and learning vector neural network, the highest accuracy of classification on the training and testing samples was obtained with 75.93 and 75.75%, respectively. The accuracy obtained indicated that the multi-layer perceptron neural network model can be used as a decision maker by an expert or independently in saffron lab centers.
Other subject about saffron
Hamid alizadeh; Habibollah Salarzehi; Gol Bahar Pouranjenar
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to use entrepreneurial thinking to identify and prioritize the development strategies of entrepreneurship and commercialization of saffron in rural areas of South Khorasan province in order to rotate traditional agricultural activities in southern Khorasan Province toward ...
Read More
The purpose of this study was to use entrepreneurial thinking to identify and prioritize the development strategies of entrepreneurship and commercialization of saffron in rural areas of South Khorasan province in order to rotate traditional agricultural activities in southern Khorasan Province toward innovative activities. In this paper, the integrated approach of the dynamics analysis process SWOT-AHP. First, SWOT analysis has identified and categorized the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of saffron activities in rural areas of South Khorasan Province. Since the issue of decision making of the present research is of a multi-index type and its structure has a hierarchical component of decision-making elements, including goal, criteria and sub-criteria, the hierarchical analysis process (AHP) to calculate the weight and importance of each of the criteria and The following criteria have been used through SWOT analysis. In order to collect the research data, the matrix of paired comparison of each of the components and groups was completed using 15 experts and agricultural industry activists, whose internal strengths with the relative weight of 372/0 were in the first rank and also external opportunities with a relative weight of 344/0 And external threats with a relative weight of 148 and, finally, internal weaknesses with a relative weight of 136/0 were ranked next. The results show that the most important strategy for the development of entrepreneurship and commercialization of saffron in rural areas of South Khorasan province is SO strategy with a utility index of 26.2. The most suitable strategies of this kind are the creation of a suitable platform for private sector investment in the development and commercialization of agricultural products, the use of specialized and experienced personnel to establish community-based associations and promote and educate in the field of commercialization, with emphasis on practical aspects through meetings. And various meetings with the people of the region, marketing and advertising to introduce strategic products in South Khorasan province, the strengthening and support of purchasing cooperatives in the cultivation areas were selected for direct purchase from farmers as the most important strategies.
Other subject about saffron
morteza esmailnejad
Abstract
Climate change has serious impacts on communities and livelihoods in dry areas. The agricultural sector accepts the greatest impact from climate change due to its extensive interactions with the environment. Environmental degradation and reduced yield of saffron and weakening of the household economy ...
Read More
Climate change has serious impacts on communities and livelihoods in dry areas. The agricultural sector accepts the greatest impact from climate change due to its extensive interactions with the environment. Environmental degradation and reduced yield of saffron and weakening of the household economy are among the consequences of climate change in the Kashmar plain. This study was carried out in order to evaluate the perception of saffron in the Kashmar plain from climate change and its capacity to adapt to this phenomenon. The present study was conducted to examine the perceptions and adaptation of saffron to climate change in order to expand the strategies for confronting the climate change challenges in the Kashmar plain. The method of this study is descriptive-analytic. The population of the study was calculated using Cochran's sampling method and a sample size of 390 households was chosen. Statistical models such as logistic regression were used to examine saffron perception and compatibility strategies. The analysis of saffron perceptions of climate change shows that the increase in temperature and the decrease in rainfall during the last decade in the Kashmar plain has been ongoing. The results of the logistic statistical model indicated that product diversity, change in crops, finding a job outside the farm, changing the amount of land, changing the planting date of saffron were adaptation methods used in the region. Given that many saffron growers have come to understand climate change and adjust their farming activities based on these changes, the government should facilitate the adaptation of saffron to climate change.
Economics and Marketing
ُSeyyed Mehdi Hosseini; Amir Dadrasmoghadam; Alireza Karbasi; Ahmad Vandaki
Abstract
Identification Risk Factors on Saffron Producers in Qaenat by Genetic function Algorithm AbstractRisk in agriculture has a significant impact on agricultural production, and farmers' risk to household economies has an impact on the economy of society. Hence, identification of important factors and determinants ...
Read More
Identification Risk Factors on Saffron Producers in Qaenat by Genetic function Algorithm AbstractRisk in agriculture has a significant impact on agricultural production, and farmers' risk to household economies has an impact on the economy of society. Hence, identification of important factors and determinants affecting farmer risk management is of particular importance. The aim of this study to identify the factors affecting the risk of saffron Qaenat. The statistical sample was collected by using random sampling method from 120 saffron makers of this city in 2017. The results showed that there were positive relationships between 44 factors, yield factors, irrigation, sales time, expert guidance, water quality, younger seed, and money savings with saffron risk factors. Also, the factors of diversification Activities, dispute settlement, total sales, the cost of buying onions with the risk of saffron. In other words, ten fundamental factors were identified using the method of approximation of the genetic algorithm function. The results of the estimation with logit model also showed that sales time and money saving have a significant effect, but other variables in logit regression are not significant. In this regard, it is suggested that, in order to reduce the risk management of the saffron, experts should be promoted and the differences between saffron producers minimized, as well as by increasing the sales and saving time, the risk management of the saffron reduced.Keywords: Risk, Saffron, Genetic Function Algorithm, Logit
Agriculture
Seyyed Javad Hosseini-Vashan; Ehsan Mohammadian; Nazar Afzali
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Hydroethanolic saffron petals’ extract (HSPE) on the performance, carcass characteristics and blood biochemical parameters of Japanese quails challenged with Aflatoxin B1. A total of 168 day-old quails were ...
Read More
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Hydroethanolic saffron petals’ extract (HSPE) on the performance, carcass characteristics and blood biochemical parameters of Japanese quails challenged with Aflatoxin B1. A total of 168 day-old quails were arranged into 28 experimental units with 7 treatments in a completely randomized design. The treatments included control, 3, 6 ppm aflatoxin B1, 3ppm aflatoxin +350 ppm HSPE, 3ppm aflatoxin +700 ppm HSPE, 6ppm aflatoxin +350 ppm HSPE and 6ppm aflatoxin +700 ppm HSPE. Each treatment included 4 replicates with 6 birds. Two quails from each pen were selected, slaughtered and carcass parts were weighed and their relative weights were calculated. The data were analyzed by the SAS software. The results revealed that chicks contaminated with aflatoxin had weight loss and reduced feed intake. However, addition of HSPE to their diet improved the feed intake and body weight of the sick birds. The lower FCR were observed in quails contaminated with aflatoxin. However, supplementation of Hydroethanolic saffron petals’ extract to their diet improved the FCR. The relative weight of burs of fabricus and liver had decreased and increased in the contaminated birds, respectively. Aflatoxin B1 affected the relative weight and length of intestine parts. Aflatoxin B1 decreased the concentration of cholesterol and triglyceride and increased liver enzyme activity. Therefore, supplementation of Hydroethanolic saffron petals’ extract to diets may improve the body weight, feed intake and FCR of quail contaminated with aflatoxin B1.
Agriculture
Mohammadreza Ramezani; Hamed Rafiee; Hossein Norouzi
Abstract
Gonabad township in the Khorasan Razavi province is one of the largest saffron producers in Iran. Unfortunately, the yield of saffron farms in Gonabad has decreased drastically in recent years. Evidence and the opinions of agricultural engineers suggest that high-density planting can be considered as ...
Read More
Gonabad township in the Khorasan Razavi province is one of the largest saffron producers in Iran. Unfortunately, the yield of saffron farms in Gonabad has decreased drastically in recent years. Evidence and the opinions of agricultural engineers suggest that high-density planting can be considered as one of the main reasons of yield decrease. With high-density planting, the operation period of saffron farms will start sooner. However, it will decrease the length of operation period tremendously. Furthermore, the farm will not be suitable for saffron cultivation for a long time. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of high-density planting on yield of saffron farms and determining the socio-economic factors affecting unsustainable system of high-density planting. Data of the first 6-years of farms (2011-2016) were collected and in order to analyze the data, a two-stage Heckman model which include a Probit model and a linear regression model was used. Our study findings show that farmers' age, awareness towards factors that reduce yield of saffron farms, and attending training courses are three factors that have a negative and significant impact on planting density. In other words, these three factors could prevent planting of saffron in high density. Farmers' income and their level of education are two factors which are considered to have a positive and significant impact on planting density. Finally, crop insurance does not have a significant impact in either one of the two models. Therefore, we strongly recommend that farmers should be warned of factors that cause yield decreases throughout training courses. Also, we recommend using of the experience of old and experienced farmers in order to prevent planting saffron in high densities.
Shukrullah Shwoban; Arash Dourandish; Mohammad Ghorbani
Abstract
Saffron is one of the agricultural products considered for cultivation by Afghan farmers in recent years. Investigation of willingness of farmers in this region to continue cultivating this crop is especially important in developing this product and promoting it at the global level due to the exceptional ...
Read More
Saffron is one of the agricultural products considered for cultivation by Afghan farmers in recent years. Investigation of willingness of farmers in this region to continue cultivating this crop is especially important in developing this product and promoting it at the global level due to the exceptional position of Afghanistan’s saffron in the world. Therefore, the aim of this study is investigating willingness of farmers in Herat to continue production of Saffron. Data was collected using the random sampling method and completing questionnaires and performing personal interviews with saffron farmers in the Herat province in 2018 with 202 samples. The willingness to continue cultivating saffron farmers in the Herat Province was classified into four categories: very low, low, medium, and high. The results of using the ordered Logit model show that the variables yield, price, size of the farmer's household, saffron cultivation experience and capital have a positive influence on increasing willingness to continue cultivation of this product by saffron producers. On the other hand, non-agricultural income, age and availability of labor have an inverse effect on willingness to continue saffron production. At the end, suggestions are provided to achieve the research’s goal. These include provision of low-cost facilities for farmers to provide easier and cheaper access to utilization of new technologies such as use of laboratories, improvement of packaging quality and drying equipment.
Economics and Marketing
Esmaeil Fallahi; Fatemeh Mazraeh
Abstract
In order to get rid of single-product economy, trade of agricultural products is emphasized by the government. As Iran is the biggest producer and exporter of this strategic product in the world, the analysis of factors affecting export of Iran's saffron, can result in better policy making. Accordingly, ...
Read More
In order to get rid of single-product economy, trade of agricultural products is emphasized by the government. As Iran is the biggest producer and exporter of this strategic product in the world, the analysis of factors affecting export of Iran's saffron, can result in better policy making. Accordingly, this study is aim to investigate the short-term and long-term effects of exchange rate volatility beside the other factors affecting the export of this product using panel data for Iran's major trading partners during 1992-2014. For this purpose and to avoid the limitation of symmetric approaches to calculate instability indices, the exchange rate volatility index was firstly calculated by using asymmetric method of Exponential Generalized Auto-Regressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (EGHARCH). Then, this index was used along with other variables to estimate of proposed model using the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) method. The results showed that although countries income and real exchange rate have positive and significant effects on saffron export, exchange rate volatility has a negative and significant effect on export of this product. Therefore, if the government’s goal is to support the export of this product, it is vital to achieve stability in exchange rate market. Moreover, the results of estimating error correction model indicate that the speed of disequilibrium adjustment towards long-run equilibrium relationships is substantial. Therefore, policy-making would be hopeful in the short-term.
Other subject about saffron
Aliakbar Anabestani; Mahdi Javanshiri; Khadijeh Yazdani
Abstract
Changing the use of agricultural land in the village, which is mainly due to human activities, has, in addition to indirect environmental changes, has social, economic, and ... direct consequences on human life. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effects and ...
Read More
Changing the use of agricultural land in the village, which is mainly due to human activities, has, in addition to indirect environmental changes, has social, economic, and ... direct consequences on human life. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effects and consequences of cultivation of saffron in recent years on the lives of villagers in the village miyanjam of the Tarbatjam county. The research method in this research is descriptive-analytic and its type is fundamental in terms of purpose. Documentary and observational methods have been used to collect information. The sample population is 10 villages in the rural district of miyanjam that have the highest level of cultivation of saffron. From 3444 families in sample rural areas with Cochran formula and error (0.08%), the sample size of 115 households were selected by random sampling method. The results of this study show that, in terms of villagers, the effect of changing the pattern of cultivation in socio-cultural indicators was 3.84 in the least and in the physical indices with the mean of 4 had the most effect. According to the results of single sample T test, the effects of saffron cultivation on the economic index with the value of 56.65 are more than other indicators. In the spatial distribution, the mean of the effects of saffron cultivation on the level of villages is Emogan village with the highest number of 4.2 and the villages of Bashzandan Olya and Hajiabad with the lowest level of 86.3. The results of ARAS's technique for accurate ranking of sample villages confirmed this. In order to investigate the significance of the relationship between the variables of the research, the coefficient of effectiveness of the indices was determined using Smart PLS software. The path coefficient of t indicated that the relationship between environmental, physical and economic variables with the general effects of saffron cultivation in the sampled villages was meaningful and direct; according to the coefficients Standard, 36% of the effects of saffron cultivation are predicted directly by the economic index.
Economics and Marketing
Arash Dourandish; Milad Aminizadeh; Andisheh Riahi; Elham Mehrparvar Hosseini
Abstract
Saffron is one of Iran’s exports of agricultural products that it could not keep and strengthen its position in the world market at recent years. Two events such as European Union trade sanctions against Iran (2006-2014) and global economic crisis (2007-2009) have directly and indirectly impacts ...
Read More
Saffron is one of Iran’s exports of agricultural products that it could not keep and strengthen its position in the world market at recent years. Two events such as European Union trade sanctions against Iran (2006-2014) and global economic crisis (2007-2009) have directly and indirectly impacts on Iran’s economy and trade flows, respectively. According to process uncertainty about the abolition or continuation of the European Union trade sanctions and the possibility of a new global economic crisis, the aim of this paper is assessing the role of these two factors on Iran’s saffron exports. For this purpose, saffron exports to trading partners were analyzed by using gravity model and poisson pseudo maximum likelihood estimator in 2001-2014 periods. Based on the results, economic size, importer’s income and regional trade agreement have positive effect and distance and difference in GDP per capita have negative and significant impacts on saffron exports. The Results indicated that EU trade sanctions and global economic crisis have significantly negative effects on Iran’s saffron exports. In other words, due to Iran’s trading partners, global economic crisis have important role in saffron exports. Therefore, it is suggested that role of trade sanctions and economic crisis and their importance be considered to adopt long run strategic plan in order to strengthen Iran’s position in saffron world market and optimal basket of trading partners to be selected.
