A successful Saffron cultivation experience in al Jabal al Akhdar
Published: 01:01 PM,Jan 09,2022 | EDITED : 05:01 PM,Jan 09,2022
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Al Jabal Al Akhdar is one of the Omani mesmerizing landscape destinations, where the distinguished weather, special nature, and vibrant residents.
The Jabal has its own distinct weather conditions that facilitate planting special types of fruits, vegetables and flowers that rarely can be found elsewhere in Oman. Some of these plants are the sweety pomegranates, tasty guavas, colourful roses, and many other types of plants that can found only in Jabal Akhdar.
We are much familiar with the Iranian Saffron, but have you ever heard about Omani Saffron?
Saffron is a kind of plant that looks like a flower with reddish-purple colour. plenty of flowers are used to extract a little amount of the Saffron that we buy.
there were some attempts to plant saffron in the past in al Jabal Al Akhdar, however, all went unnoticed and disappeared. Recently, Hatim Al-Fahdi, a resident from al Jabal Al Akhdar, tried to replant this agricultural product, and eventually had succeed in planting the Omani Saffron. Hatim becomes the first Omani who revive the planting of this precious agricultural product in Jabal Akhdar.
“The first reason is the environment I grew up in. It is mainly dependent on agricultural. Since I was a kid, I was so much involved with agriculture, I find myself interested in this sector even more as I practice the different agricultural activities with my family and friends”, Hatim answered when asked about the reason behind choosing to revive this kind of plant. “The idea of Omani Saffron revival has been always a matter of negotiations in our community, at least for the recent time, especially when remembering how our ancestors had achieved it for the first time, and how suddenly it disappeared for several factors; one of which is the lack of the special care this type of flowers needed” he added.
Stepping for a new experience is always accompanied by some fears and concerns, so what were they for Hatim when he first decided to revive the Omani Saffron? “I had lots of questions in mind before stepping to this experience, I was asking myself to what extent this might work? What is the purpose of this? And many other questions” he said. “Mainly, I was thinking about the agricultural challenges, which are concerned with the area required for this type of plant, watering process, fertilizers, pests, and absolutely the time needed to get the saffron stigma required for the planting process” Hatim expressed his fears.
Unexpected challenges emerge in any new experience, and these challenges play a pivotal role in shaping the results which are depending on how it was managed. Hatim has also experienced several considerable obstacles, for instance seeking an appropriate land for planting the Saffron, in addition to the permit he had to get, and all the costly financial requirements he had to pay.
Amid all the challenges and fears, Hatim had expected the success of this experience; mainly because of the high quality saffron stigmas he had chosen and the perfect weather conditions of this year. All these factors played a critical role in achieving the high-quality of the Saffron planted by Hatim.
Furthermore, Hatim expressed his optimism regarding the quality of the Saffron. He believes the special Omani soil is the secret beyond this uniqueness of this Omani Saffron in the market. Besides “It is 100% original” he stressed.
This unforgettable experience exposed Hatim to new lessons which are beneficial for him. some of which are the importance of spreading the agricultural culture and knowledge among the generations, especially about those rare plants and flowers like Saffron. Also, reviving these types of semi-extinct plants will be fruitful for the economic and tourism sectors in Oman. “I am eagerly excited to re-plant Saffron many times in the future for trading, and I am requesting competent authorities to give me a hand to achieve my ambition in selling my Omani Saffron product” Hatim answered.
Lots of people complain about the expensive prices of most Omani products, particularly those which are produced in Jabal Akhdar. However, Hatim sees that the prices are suitable when compared to effort the farmers exert. “I would only say to those people to put themselves on the farmers’ situation. I also want to remind them that they are buying these products from farms, not companies neither investors or wealthy traders” he answered. Regarding the prices, Hatim said “They are unstable, and they are influenced by external factors”.
Hatim is feeling grateful for the Omani market as it supports the Omani products and contributes to its success and spread around different Omani regions, yet there is always an ambition to have a massive market to promote and exhibit the variant Omani products from all Omani governorates.
Photos by: Hassan Al-Mayahi
Instagram Acc.: hh_510
The Jabal has its own distinct weather conditions that facilitate planting special types of fruits, vegetables and flowers that rarely can be found elsewhere in Oman. Some of these plants are the sweety pomegranates, tasty guavas, colourful roses, and many other types of plants that can found only in Jabal Akhdar.
We are much familiar with the Iranian Saffron, but have you ever heard about Omani Saffron?
Saffron is a kind of plant that looks like a flower with reddish-purple colour. plenty of flowers are used to extract a little amount of the Saffron that we buy.
there were some attempts to plant saffron in the past in al Jabal Al Akhdar, however, all went unnoticed and disappeared. Recently, Hatim Al-Fahdi, a resident from al Jabal Al Akhdar, tried to replant this agricultural product, and eventually had succeed in planting the Omani Saffron. Hatim becomes the first Omani who revive the planting of this precious agricultural product in Jabal Akhdar.
“The first reason is the environment I grew up in. It is mainly dependent on agricultural. Since I was a kid, I was so much involved with agriculture, I find myself interested in this sector even more as I practice the different agricultural activities with my family and friends”, Hatim answered when asked about the reason behind choosing to revive this kind of plant. “The idea of Omani Saffron revival has been always a matter of negotiations in our community, at least for the recent time, especially when remembering how our ancestors had achieved it for the first time, and how suddenly it disappeared for several factors; one of which is the lack of the special care this type of flowers needed” he added.
Stepping for a new experience is always accompanied by some fears and concerns, so what were they for Hatim when he first decided to revive the Omani Saffron? “I had lots of questions in mind before stepping to this experience, I was asking myself to what extent this might work? What is the purpose of this? And many other questions” he said. “Mainly, I was thinking about the agricultural challenges, which are concerned with the area required for this type of plant, watering process, fertilizers, pests, and absolutely the time needed to get the saffron stigma required for the planting process” Hatim expressed his fears.
Unexpected challenges emerge in any new experience, and these challenges play a pivotal role in shaping the results which are depending on how it was managed. Hatim has also experienced several considerable obstacles, for instance seeking an appropriate land for planting the Saffron, in addition to the permit he had to get, and all the costly financial requirements he had to pay.
Amid all the challenges and fears, Hatim had expected the success of this experience; mainly because of the high quality saffron stigmas he had chosen and the perfect weather conditions of this year. All these factors played a critical role in achieving the high-quality of the Saffron planted by Hatim.
Furthermore, Hatim expressed his optimism regarding the quality of the Saffron. He believes the special Omani soil is the secret beyond this uniqueness of this Omani Saffron in the market. Besides “It is 100% original” he stressed.
This unforgettable experience exposed Hatim to new lessons which are beneficial for him. some of which are the importance of spreading the agricultural culture and knowledge among the generations, especially about those rare plants and flowers like Saffron. Also, reviving these types of semi-extinct plants will be fruitful for the economic and tourism sectors in Oman. “I am eagerly excited to re-plant Saffron many times in the future for trading, and I am requesting competent authorities to give me a hand to achieve my ambition in selling my Omani Saffron product” Hatim answered.
Lots of people complain about the expensive prices of most Omani products, particularly those which are produced in Jabal Akhdar. However, Hatim sees that the prices are suitable when compared to effort the farmers exert. “I would only say to those people to put themselves on the farmers’ situation. I also want to remind them that they are buying these products from farms, not companies neither investors or wealthy traders” he answered. Regarding the prices, Hatim said “They are unstable, and they are influenced by external factors”.
Hatim is feeling grateful for the Omani market as it supports the Omani products and contributes to its success and spread around different Omani regions, yet there is always an ambition to have a massive market to promote and exhibit the variant Omani products from all Omani governorates.
Photos by: Hassan Al-Mayahi
Instagram Acc.: hh_510