Analysis of the feasibility of saffron cultivation in the lake Urmia basin in terms of climatic and physiological factors

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Civil, Water and Environmental, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Aban Pazhouh Consulting Engineers Company, Tehran, Iran.

3 Department of Civil Engineering, University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.

10.22059/jwim.2025.386134.1191

Abstract

Lake Urmia has experienced a severe decline in water levels in recent years due to climate change, reduced precipitation, and excessive water withdrawal for agricultural purposes. One proposed strategy for managing this crisis is modifying the cropping pattern and replacing high-water-consuming crops with drought-resistant alternatives. This study assesses the feasibility of saffron (Crocus sativus) cultivation as a low-water-demand and high-value crop in the southern regions of Lake Urmia. Monthly temperature and precipitation data for the region were obtained from the Meteorological Organization and analyzed using ombrothermic diagrams. These data were then compared with those of Iran’s traditional saffron-growing regions. The results indicate that the southern areas of Lake Urmia, particularly Bonab and Malekan, exhibit high climatic similarity to the saffron-producing regions of Razavi Khorasan Province. The recorded mean monthly temperature ranges between -5 to 30°C, and the annual precipitation is 300 to 400 mm. Field observations confirm that experimental saffron cultivation has been successful in some areas. However, expanding saffron cultivation in this region faces challenges such as severe winter frosts, the need for soil and irrigation improvements, and a lack of supportive policies. Data analysis shows that saffron requires 60% less water compared to commonly grown crops in the region. The findings of this study suggest that, with proper water resource management and optimized cultivation techniques, saffron could contribute to reducing water consumption, increasing farmers' income, and assisting in the restoration of Lake Urmia.

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References

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Water and Irrigation Management
Volume 15, Issue 3
December 2025
Pages 431-441

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