Frost Damages Saffron Fields

Freezing temperatures and frost have cost saffron and pomegranates farmers in Khorasan Razavi Province an estimated $216.5 million (8,660 billion rials) in losses, said Mojtaba Mazrouei, head of the provincial Agriculture Jihad. “The frost destroyed crops in 9,700 hectares of pomegranate farms in the northeastern province,” IRNA quoted him as saying. With over 9,700 ha and 75,000 ha under saffron and pomegranate cultivation respectively, Khorasan Razavi is one of the top producers of the two crops. Agriculture Jihad is making all efforts to compensate farmers for their losses and to safeguard people’s livelihoods.