In the province of Azilal, the production and marketing of saffron is experiencing great growth. This culture has given rise to a large number of cooperatives generating job opportunities while encouraging the marketing of local products, especially women from mountainous areas.
According to the Regional Directorate of Agriculture (DRA) of Beni Mellal-Khénifra, saffron production throughout the province of Azilal reached 1.75 t in 2023. This crop occupies a total area of 350 hectares, including 60 dedicated to organic cultivation. The number of farmers was around 1,400 and the target population numbered around 12,000 people. The cultivated area and the production of saffron experienced a boom in 2024 thanks mainly to the INDH which gave new dynamism to the creation of a large number of cooperatives in the province of Azilal.
In a statement to ALM, the president of the Ait Boulli agricultural cooperative and the Azilal saffron house, Abdellatif Moradou, stressed that the cultivated area in Ait Boulli is 114 hectares including 100 dedicated to organic cultivation and that the production of one hectare of saffron varies between 5 and 6 kilograms, adding that the overall production of saffron in 2023, in Ait Boulli was 280 kilograms. And added: “In addition to saffron, our cooperative also produces medicinal plants, almonds, walnuts, amlou… Thus, the production and marketing of saffron have recently experienced great growth thanks to the tireless efforts deployed by the INDH, the governor of Azilal province, Mhamed Atfaoui, the Beni Mellal-Khénifra Regional Council, the Azilal Provincial Council, local authorities, cooperatives that have been created in Azilal province and farmers. The only problem that has a considerable impact on our products, in general, is drought, water stress, because saffron is a spice that needs to be irrigated.
And to continue: “More than 90% of cooperatives including 34 which work in the field of saffron, in the province of Azilal, have benefited from the support of the INDH which is at the origin of the birth of a large number socio-economic projects in Ait Boulli. Thus, the expected objectives were achieved, partnerships were created and the saffron house was created in Azilal. This encouraged the marketing of saffron from a large number of cooperatives from a range of territorial communes in the province of Azilal. In addition, farmers have benefited from the saffron bulb distribution operation, especially since 2019, the date of the launch of the second phase of the partnership agreement relating to the development of saffron cultivation in the province of Azilal. …”.
As for the prices of saffron in the province of Azilal, 30 DH for a gram, 55 DH for 2g, 140 DH is the price of 5g and 270 DH for 10 g. Note that the selling price decreases if the quantity sold is greater (for wholesalers). Saffron cultivation has had positive consequences on the socio-economic situation in Ait Boulli. This spice is a Deus ex machina which has opened other new saving economic horizons to the province of Azilal. Over time, the number of cooperatives increases and employment opportunities proliferate thanks to the marketing of red gold and a large number of local products, concluded Mr. Moradou.
