Evaluating the climatic potentials of saffron cultivation in Khuzestan Province using GIS (Geographical Information System)

This research has been conducted to evaluate the climatic and environmental conditions of Khuzestan Province for saffron cultivation and determine the areas susceptible for this product using geographical information system. To conduct this research the meteorological data related to12 synoptic stations of the province in a 20-year statistical period (2006 to 1987) have been used in the form of monthly average and daily data. In this research the stations of Khuzestan province are compared with that of Torbat Heidarie City, one of the areas susceptible for saffron cultivation in Iran, and the climatic similarities of Khuzestan province and Torbat Heidarie in regard to temperature and rainfall are specified, and then other climatic conditions appropriate for saffron cultivation have been studied. In order to provide climatic and environmental maps and place the parameters as regards the degree of importance, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) model has been used. The results indicate that considering the suitable climatic and environmental conditions for saffron cultivation such as rainfall, height, gradient, solar radiation, and also frost, the northern and eastern parts of the Khuzestan province are susceptible and appropriate for saffron cultivation. Getting far from northern and northeastern parts in Khuzestan province, the conditions for saffron cultivation gradually become inappropriate and some restrictions are being involved.