In response to severe drought conditions threatening traditional livelihoods, South African farmers are turning to innovative agricultural ventures, with saffron cultivation emerging as a particularly promising new frontier. This valuable spice, known as the world's most expensive, is finding a new home in the dry and hot climates of regions like the Karoo, offering hope and a potential economic boon to those seeking alternatives to conventional farming.

Livestock farmer Joe Kroon, based near the town of Graaf Reinet in the arid Karoo region, exemplifies this shift. Faced with dying animals and a lack of governmental support during a prolonged drought, Kroon began researching alternative income streams. About five years ago, he embarked on saffron cultivation, importing corms from The Netherlands. His initial foray has proven successful, with Kroon noting, "Every year that we've planted, it's got better and better." With approximately one hectare currently under cultivation, he plans to expand his operations, encouraged by the crop's exponential growth each year. "At the end of this year, we're going to lift the crop and replant a bigger area," he stated.

Kroon's partner in the Karoo Saffron venture, Ross Blakeway, shares this optimism, anticipating this season's yield could reach about six kilogrammes, roughly double that of the previous year. This is a significant achievement considering the labor-intensive nature of saffron harvesting, where approximately 150,000 delicate purple crocus flowers must be hand-picked to yield just one kilogramme of the precious red threads. Currently, Karoo Saffron's output is primarily destined for the domestic market. Their saffron is used by local chefs and incorporated as an ingredient in a locally produced sauce and the Pure Karoo health range. While their focus is domestic, Blakeway mentioned that there has been some interest from potential buyers in Europe.

However, venturing into saffron farming is not without its difficulties. Blakeway cautions that it is not a "get rich quick" scheme. The initial investment in corms can be substantial, and protecting the crop from local wildlife poses a significant challenge. "It's popular amongst the porcupines and rabbits, so you really have to protect your land," he highlighted.

Beyond individual efforts like Kroon's, larger commercial operations are also taking root. Saffricon, claiming to be the largest commercial saffron producer in South Africa, cultivates seven hectares. They also began their journey into saffron farming around five years ago. Production coordinator Tiaan Engelbrecht explained that Saffricon underwent a period of trial and error, moving their operations several times to find the optimal growing conditions before finally settling in the Piketberg area in the Western Cape.

Saffricon's ambitions extend beyond their own production. The company actively shares advice and provides trial packs to a wide range of potential cultivators, from home gardeners to commercial farmers. Their broader goal is to build sufficient volume for South African saffron to become a viable and competitive export product. Engelbrecht noted that the introduction of saffron has "been met with a lot of hope for being able to diversify the crops that are available in the country, especially for people who have smaller plots." While some initial skepticism existed, he emphasized the positive impact, stating, "It's just been absolutely wonderful to see people still being excited about growing the agriculture industry and being excited about new things." The emergence of saffron offers a new chapter for South African agriculture, demonstrating resilience and innovation in the face of climatic challenges.