One village in southern Morocco produces 95 percent of the saffron grown in all of the country, according to CCTV Africa. Spikes in costs have pushed the price tag between $8-$12 for just one gram of the spice. Now, farmers in the north are looking to take advantage of the rising demand. Agriculture officials believe increased and successful production could replace illegal crops which are grown in the country.
“From my experience, this saffron has high productivity,” Hafida Ait Issa, Chairwoman of Nouwara Cooperative in northern Morocco told CCTV Africa. “Any woman or man in the region can plant saffron…It has a high yield and improves the financial situation of women.”
Abdelwahab Msali, a National Office of Advice to Farmers representative elaborated on the crop’s quality:
“This year they harvested 800 grams of saffron. This means the surface area could be extended. The product is of a darker red color and a strong scent. It is of equivalent value to saffron from Italy.”
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