When Matthew Roy moved from New Hampshire in 2020 to start a farm in southwestern Nova Scotia, one of the new crops he zeroed in on was saffron.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Dar Yasin



Matthew Roy relocated from New Hampshire to southwestern Nova Scotia in 2020 to establish a farm. Among the new crops he focused on was saffron, a spice renowned as "red gold" and traditionally cultivated in countries like Iran, India, and Spain. Roy opted for saffron cultivation in Nova Scotia due to the region's changing climate, foreseeing warmer temperatures. He saw success with his saffron harvest, despite facing challenges like extreme rainfall impacting yields. Margaret Skinner, a research professor at the University of Vermont, collaborated with Roy and emphasized the impact of climate change on saffron cultivation, highlighting challenges such as droughts and floods. Navin Ramankutty, a Canada Research Chair at the University of British Columbia, echoed these concerns, noting the need for farmers to adapt to changing climate conditions. A 2022 study published in the Canadian Journal of Plant Science explored the challenges of cultivating saffron in cold climates, suggesting that the right farming techniques could improve results. Despite the challenges, saffron cultivation has been successful in parts of Canada, including Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. The process of harvesting saffron involves hand-picking purple crocus flowers, carefully isolating and drying the stigmas, which are then used as the spice. Saffron finds applications in food, medicine, and cosmetics, with a kilogram requiring the stigmas of about 150,000 flowers and fetching high prices in the market.

Bashir Ahmad Allie, from the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, noted the impact of climate change on saffron farming in regions like Jammu and Kashmir. While saffron cultivation has been traditionally passed down through generations in these areas, changing climate patterns are discouraging younger farmers due to increased unpredictability and risks. Allie emphasized the need for collaboration between researchers and farmers to understand the effects of climate change on saffron cultivation. Despite challenges, saffron cultivation is expanding in Canada, reflecting the global impact of climate change on agricultural practices.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

Burger King Launches Drink That Brings Back Summer Memories

Burger King has introduced a new frozen drink that brings back nostalgic memories of childhood summers. Starting April 24, the....

Cava Turns Up The Heat With New Spicy Pita Chips

Cava is adding some serious heat to its snack lineup. Starting April 22, the Mediterranean restaurant chain is releasing Hot....

Krispy Kreme Introduces New Cheesecake-Inspired Doughnuts

If you love cheesecake and doughnuts, Krispy Kreme has something special for you. Starting April 22, the famous doughnut chain....

Canadians See Food Access As Top Election Concern: Report

As food prices continue to climb and food bank visits hit record highs, most Canadians now see food insecurity as....

Miller Lite & Pringles Team Up To Launch New Beer And BBQ-Flavored Chips

Summer means fun nights outdoors, tasty food, and laid-back backyard parties. The smell of grilled food in the air, laughter....

Starbucks Announces New Iced Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso

As summer approaches, Starbucks is ready to quench our thirst with refreshing new drinks. The coffee giant is unveiling a....

Enjoy Discounts And Freebies At Krispy Kreme, Burger King And More Or Tax Day

Tax Day is fast approaching, and many restaurant chains are offering special deals to make the day a little sweeter.....

Shake Shack Launches Limited-Time Chocolate Pistachio Dubai Shake

Shake Shack is bringing the viral Dubai chocolate bar to life in a new way. The popular dessert bar, often....

Taiwan’s DTF™ Opens First Canadian Restaurant in Vancouver

DTF™, a well-known restaurant brand from Taiwan, has just opened its first location in Canada. This premium dining spot is....

Frito-Lay Chips Recall Now Labeled Most Serious Safety Risk

The popular chip brand Frito-Lay is now facing a serious issue. A recall for its Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn....

All Cocoa In Feastables Chocolate Now Carries The Fairtrade Label

Feastables has announced that all the cocoa used in its chocolate now comes from Fairtrade certified cooperatives. This means every....

Peanut Allergy Risk Sparks Hummus Recall In Canada

A major food recall has been issued across Canada for several hummus products that could pose a serious health risk....