LAS CRUCES — A researcher at New Mexico State University known for his saffron research projects in Northern New Mexico is exploring how the crop fares in central and southern parts of the state, as well as how well the crop will grow alongside other New Mexico crops such as chile.
Saeid Zehtab Salmasi, research director of the NMSU Sustainable Agriculture Science Center at Alcalde, recently received funding from the New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant program for a project titled, “Integrating Saffron into Small Vegetable Production Systems of New Mexico to Enhance Profitability and Sustainability.” The project will investigate the intercropping of saffron with chile, and aims to demonstrate the diversification and sustainability benefits of intercropping in New Mexico’s agricultural systems.
Salmasi said one idea he and his research team are exploring is growing saffron in chile fields. His hope is that saffron will thrive during the chile’s dormant season. Saffron is typically harvested in October and into early November. Intercropping saffron with chile could help farmers maximize land use, improve soil health and create new revenue streams.