Harvesting begins for Iran’s “Red Gold” in Razavi Khorasan counties

With the arrival of autumn, the saffron harvest season has begun in two major saffron-producing counties of Razavi Khorasan Province—Zaveh and Dargaz—where farmers are now busy collecting their valuable crop.

In Zaveh, known as the primary hub of saffron production in Iran and the world, irrigation and field preparation begin every year in early September. Harvesting starts in late October and continues until the end of December. With 15,700 hectares under cultivation, Zaveh is considered the largest producer of saffron flowers in the country. According to local farmers, yields this year have increased significantly compared to last year.

Meanwhile, saffron harvesting has also begun in Dargaz and will continue until the end of December. With 285 hectares of saffron farmland, Dargaz contributes a notable share to the province’s production of “red gold.” According to the Agriculture Jihad Organization, this year’s harvest in Dargaz has also grown compared to last year and has been accompanied by extensive job creation—so much so that up to 130 seasonal workers are employed per hectare.

The simultaneous harvesting in these two counties not only boosts the province’s total production but also plays an important role in supporting the local economy, rural employment, and generating foreign exchange for the country.