Autumn and spring farm tourism in South Khorasan
Autumn in South Khorasan is the harvest season of strategic agricultural products such as barberry and saffron, which is the spring of farm tourism, and due to the lifting of travel restrictions for domestic and foreign tourists, this opportunity can be used to strengthen the tourism economy. Jujube and pomegranate are four strategic crops of South Khorasan that with the beginning of autumn, the fields and gardens of the province turn red and create spectacular views of nature. It is the presence of tourists to get acquainted with the old agricultural rituals and to use these new products as travel souvenirs.
According to experts, farm tourism is a way to preserve traditional landscapes. Some tourists pursue this type of tourism for leisure purposes or as a nostalgic trip to the good old days.
In addition, farm tourism is emphasized as one of the areas of investment in farm agriculture through the provision of catering services.
Barberry, saffron and jujube are the three main crops of South Khorasan, which are harvested in autumn, and this province ranks first in the production of barberry and jujube and second in the production of saffron in the country.
Saffron of South Khorasan has the first rank in the country in terms of quality and quality and this province is mentioned as the land of red gold.
The area under saffron cultivation in South Khorasan last year was 17,152 hectares and this year about 400 to 500 hectares of saffron cultivation area has been developed.
Also, South Khorasan, with 18,600 hectares of cultivated area, ranks first in barberry production in Iran and the harvest season of this crop is from late October to the first half of December.
Ferdows city in South Khorasan ranks first in pomegranate production and ranks third in the country.
The area under cultivation of Ferdows pomegranate orchards is 2,100 hectares and it is predicted that at least 20 tons of pomegranates will be harvested from each hectare.
One of the important emphases of the President during his visit to South Khorasan on September 7, this year, was to make the most of the province’s capacities to strengthen the tourism economy.
Ayatollah Seyyed Ibrahim Reisi said: “In South Khorasan, we have the economy of mining, tourism, agriculture and industry. Of course, the rainfall is low, and this threat must be turned into an opportunity, and we must activate the economy of South Khorasan in various fields.”
Luck of tourists to farm tourism
An activist in the field of tourism in South Khorasan called the development of farm tourism one of the ways to economic prosperity and said: Farm tourism is one of the important branches of tourism in the world and Iran and South Khorasan due to its special agricultural products can be activated by this branch of tourism Succeed.
Ahmad Kashani reminded that farm tourism along with nature tourism is very popular among tourists and said: “Despite the fact that autumn is a leafy season and everyone knows it in golden color; Autumn in South Khorasan is red and the presence of special agricultural products gives a different color and smell to nature.
He pointed out that more than 22,000 tons of barberry is produced annually in South Khorasan, adding: “Extensive barberry fields, especially in the cities of Darmian and Zirkuh, Afin, Zahan Ghadim and villages around South Khorasan, and its harvest ceremony is one of the tourist attractions.”
The CEO of the South Khorasan Sustainable Tourism Association said: “Holding festivals with the aim of farm tourism at the time of harvesting strategic products of South Khorasan will lead to the introduction of these products and generate more income for farmers.”
He called the existence of ecotourism resorts in the villages targeted for tourism an important infrastructure to attract tourists and added: Afin village as a barberry origin has two ecotourism resorts where tourists can watch the barberry fields at sunrise.
Kashani stated: holding a tour for agricultural products, in addition to attracting tourists and tourists in that village; It leads to accommodation in eco-lodges, the use of local food, the purchase of handicrafts and a large amount of fresh produce, so the income from farm tours goes to the villagers and strengthens the village economy.
He said: “Tourists visit the way of cooking barberry jam while enjoying the barberry harvest tour and enjoy drinking barberry syrup.”
The tourist guide in South Khorasan said: “Many people in the world have not seen the saffron flower up close, so participating in the saffron harvest and together with the farmers by watching the morning fog creates a beautiful view and many people are eager to see such scenes.”
He added: “Another tourist attraction during the saffron harvest is cleaning the flowers in local houses, so saffron farms in different parts of the province can be a destination for tourists.”
Kashani said: the vast pomegranate orchards around Ferdows are also suitable for farm tourism tours in autumn, and since we have several pomegranate orchards in Ferdows Garden, the presence of tourists is important.
With 10 years of experience in holding tourist tours in South Khorasan, he said: the existence of colorful farms in South Khorasan in autumn can be very attractive for foreign and domestic tourists from all over the world and Iran to participate in harvesting these products and natural, cultural and historical attractions. To visit together.
Festivals are a way to introduce the province more
The director of the South Khorasan Sustainable Tourism Association emphasized that holding farm tourism tours will lead to the development of villages and economic prosperity. Instead, tourists can use local food, handicrafts, local ceremonies and show the deep culture of the villages of South Khorasan, and this place can help generate income for the villages.
He said that holding various festivals with the approach of farm tourism should be on the agenda, adding: Of course, these festivals should not rely on a few special guests, including provincial or city officials, but can be an opportunity for these festivals to invite famous photographers, tour guides and Special guests or senior national officials took advantage to introduce the province further.
Kashani said: “If big festivals are held in the province, it will benefit the villagers and lead to the development of rural tourism.”
Travel to South Khorasan by observing health procedures
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Investment and Resources of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of South Khorasan, referring to the lifting of travel restrictions due to corona control, announced the readiness of all tourism facilities in the province in accordance with health protocols to host foreign and domestic tourists.
Morteza Arabi also pointed out that the observance of hygienic procedures is still emphasized and the trips are made at the entry points by obtaining a vaccination card.
He said that the presence of tourists in this province requires full observance of health procedures and said: the capacity of flights is now complete and in terms of the number of tourists, holding tours in the province by tourism service offices is not limited.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Investment and Resources of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of South Khorasan, noting that a limited number of foreign tourists have entered the province in the last 19 months, added: South Khorasan has always been a tourist destination for French and German tourists. It has been done for the arrival of foreign tourists from these countries.
He said: “Due to the harvest season of some South Khorasan index products such as barberry and saffron, many tourists tend to attend farms and gardens, so holding special tours of rural and farm tourism is also considered by tourism agencies.”
Referring to the activity of 9 hotels in South Khorasan, Arabi said: “76 ecotourism resorts are also active in this province, of which 11 ecotourism resorts have been put into operation in the past year.”
He said: “South Khorasan tourist attractions have hosted many domestic and foreign tourists every year. Unfortunately, this year, due to the prevalence of corona and the resulting restrictions, the province has hosted 104,744 domestic tourists and 20 foreign tourists.”