The Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Saffron Cultivation: A Strategy for Reducing the Impacts of Climate Change (Case Study: Neyshabur Plain)

Introduction: In recent decades, climate change has become one of the most critical challenges facing agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions of Iran. This phenomenon has led to a reduction in water resources, degradation of soil quality, and shifts in cropping patterns, posing a serious threat to food security. In this context, indigenous knowledge—accumulated over generations through observation, experience, and environmental adaptation—plays a vital role in enhancing the resilience and sustainability of agricultural systems. This study, focusing on the Neyshabur Plain, investigates strategies derived from traditional knowledge in managing saffron cultivation, a drought-tolerant crop, and assesses its role in mitigating the impacts of climate change and improving resource efficiency.
 
Materials and Methods: This research was conducted in the Neyshabur Plain, located in Razavi Khorasan Province, using a field survey method. The statistical population consisted of 1350 farmers who were members of the regional Water Users Association. A simple random sampling method was employed to select a sample of 100 farmers. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire completed via face-to-face interviews. The questionnaire focused on personal characteristics (such as age, education, and land ownership) and agronomic management practices. The collected data were analyzed using Chi-square and Spearman correlation tests with the help of SPSS and Excel software. The objective of this analysis was to examine the relationships between individual characteristics of the farmers and the extent of their use of indigenous knowledge-based strategies for climate change adaptation, particularly in relation to saffron cultivation.
 
Results and Discussion: The findings revealed that a significant number of farmers in the Neyshabur Plain rely on traditional agricultural practices—such as the use of organic fertilizers, conservation tillage, crop rotation, and intercropping saffron with other plants—as effective means to cope with climate change. A statistically significant correlation was observed between farmers under the age of 50, their level of education, and their inclination toward adopting saffron cultivation. Farmers with larger landholdings and ownership of land and water resources were also more likely to use modern irrigation systems and engage in sustainable agricultural practices. The use of saffron, a perennial and low-water-requirement crop, not only improved the efficiency of water use but also played a substantial role in increasing the climate resilience of farming systems in the region. The results of statistical tests indicated that these indigenous and eco-friendly practices had a tangible impact on reducing vulnerability to environmental stressors. Moreover, the study highlights that the integration of indigenous knowledge with scientific innovations represents a successful model of sustainable and adaptive agriculture. Farmers who employed such integrative strategies were able to simultaneously enhance soil quality, conserve biodiversity, reduce dependency on chemical inputs, and optimize water use—all of which are critical under the current climate constraints. The Neyshabur case shows that traditional knowledge, when supported by education and access to resources, can be a powerful driver for agricultural adaptation and innovation.
 
Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the indigenous knowledge of farmers in the Neyshabur Plain, especially in the field of saffron cultivation, has the potential to adapt to arid and semi-arid climatic conditions. Adopting solutions based on indigenous experience and knowledge, such as returning plant residues to the soil, using organic fertilizers, intercropping, and changing the cultivation pattern to perennial plants such as saffron, has led to improving the resilience of agricultural systems against climate change. These results confirm that combining indigenous knowledge with modern scientific approaches is an effective path to achieving sustainable agriculture and reducing dependence on costly and harmful inputs. On the other hand, factors such as age, education level, and land area have also played a significant role in the tendency of farmers to these measures. Finally, it can be concluded that the development and promotion of saffron cultivation, relying on indigenous knowledge and institutional support, can be a key solution in facing the water crisis and climate change in areas similar to the Neyshabur Plain.