Damask rose harvesting continues to flourish in Kerman, which is now Iran’s second largest province manufacturing rose water. The quality and purity of the rose water continues to draw the attention of European and American customers.
Damask rose production does not have a very long history in Kerman, it is rather the child of the assiduous toil of the late Homayoun and Shahindokht Sanaatizadeh, a praiseworthy couple from Kerman. They are among modern day exemplary entrepreneurs who have actively promoted cultural development and enhanced the livelihoods of their peers.
In 1977, after settling in Laleh Zar district in Bardsir county, Kerman, the couple decided to improve the living conditions of the locals. After thorough research, they deemed the area suitable for Damask rose harvesting. Although the first stages were not void of difficulty, with perseverance the couple powered through the rough patch and the Damask rose harvesting business bloomed, Mehr News Agency reported.
Thus Kerman became the country’s second largest harvester of Damask rose, after Fars Province. The Zahra Rosewater Factory was established, and the flower is now harvested in fields in Laleh Zar, Bardsir, as well as several smaller counties in the province. Establishing a new industry in Kerman, the late Sanaatizadeh and Shahindokht (known as lady of the roses) evolved into highly respected icons within the region.
Years have passed since the initiation of their innovative act; given that Damask rose is a water-saving flower and the essence of a highly profitable business, officials plan to further expand cultivation to other regions of Kerman which offer a bracing climate.
High purity and organic harvesting are the key features which bring a steady increasing stream of customers. In spite of the sanctions imposed on Iran, many foreign perfumeries continue to sign contracts with Iranian Damask rose harvesters and the industry maintains its global spotlight.
Further Development
The Agricultural Jihad Organization (AJO) has agreed to support a plan to increase the rose fields by 1000 hectares.
Currently, in the cities of Bardsir, Sirjan, and Baft, of Kerman, 2,623 hectares of lands are under cultivation of Damask roses.
Also, 180,000 Damask rose root sprouts will be sold to farmers for half the market price; the other half is to be compensated in subsidies, AJO’s deputy of agriculture optimization in Kerman, Mohammadreza Poorkhatoon, stated.
He added that rose water and rose oil produced in Kerman is of exquisite quality and is in high demand abroad, thus generating substantial revenue in foreign currency.
Suitable climate conditions in the city of Baft; renders it an ideal location for expanding Damask rose fields. An industrial project is planned to be established in Gughar Rural District, central Baft.
Developmental projects are underway in Gughar and will be launched during the next two months. Currently, 50,000 hectares of land are under cultivation of Damask roses. An industrial factory is also underway. The farms and rose water industry will create several job opportunities for locals and help boost the area’s economy.
Modern day technologies have been employed in the industry, established with a capital of $700,000. It has a production capacity of 15,000 bottles of rose water per day.
