04.11.2026 13:42
In the Gercüş district of Batman, saffron that a farmer saw on the internet and grew on a trial basis is on its way to becoming a new income source for regional agriculture. Mehmet Salih Demir, who first started production on a 10-square-meter area, increased the planting area to 800 square meters after the yield he obtained. The District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry stated that saffron, known as "red gold," has the potential to generate approximately 10 times more income than traditional products.
Harvest of saffron, called "red gold" due to its high economic value, has begun in Poyraz village of Batman's Gercüş district. Saffron, expected to be an alternative to peanuts and grapes predominantly grown in the region, draws attention with both its yield and low water need. The production that Mehmet Salih Demir, a farmer in the village, started with a small trial reached an area of 800 square meters this year.
HE SAW IT ON THE INTERNET, TRIED IT ON 10 SQUARE METERS
Mehmet Salih Demir, living in Poyraz village, decided to grow saffron after being influenced by a content he came across on the internet. Demir, who planted a trial crop on a 10-square-meter area last year, increased his production area to 800 square meters this year after getting the yield he expected.
Demir said they started planting saffron in August, and after irrigation and weed removal, the flowers began to open in October. Stating that the harvest can last 30 to 45 days, the farmer said, "I planted it last year for trial purposes, and the results were very good. It met my expectations."
THE NUMBER OF THREADS ON THE FLOWERS SURPRISED
Claiming that the saffron flowers he grew had more threads than usual, Demir said that in his own field he saw five or six threads on flowers that normally have three red and three yellow threads.
Noting that he also spoke with producers in the western provinces, Demir said, "I have friends I talked to in the west; they said, 'We have never seen or heard of such a thing.' Because these soils are very fertile, these flowers give this yield."
Saying he was pleased with the result, Demir asked for government support to spread saffron production in the region. Demir said, "We have brought Safranbolu here, to Poyraz village. God willing, we expect it to progress."
INCOME POTENTIAL IS 10 TIMES THAT OF TRADITIONAL PRODUCTS
Kenan Atalay, Director of Gercüş District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, also attended the harvest in Poyraz village and drew attention to the potential of saffron production for the regional economy.
Stating that the village is at an altitude of 1088 meters, Atalay said that the calcareous soil structure and microclimate features offer suitable conditions for saffron cultivation.
Atalay said, "Of course, when Gercüş is mentioned, peanuts and grapes come to mind first. But today, alongside these traditional products, we are planting the world's most valuable spice."
Referring to the analyses by the District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, Atalay said saffron has the potential to generate about 10 times more income than traditional products. It should be emphasized that this figure is not realized earnings but an income potential related to production.
IT NEEDS LITTLE WATER AND PROMISES HIGH INCOME
Stating that saffron is an advantageous product against climate change, Atalay mentioned that the plant's low water requirement is an important feature for the region.
Expressing that Mehmet Salih Demir earns three times the income from the same land by using empty areas for saffron, Atalay said their goal is to spread production throughout Gercüş.
Atalay said, "Our aim is to spread this production throughout the district and make Gercüş saffron a new world brand. May our harvest be abundant."