Annex White book.pdf

Harvesting of saffron flowers (ITAP)A1.3.8.4.2 Harvesting by hand with mechanical assistanceIn Spain, various types of assisting machinery have been tested inorder to improve the uncomfortable position of the workers during harvesting.The worker sits very close to or lies on the ground (pic. 6). Themachine moves by electric motors with battery power. This machineryhas also the advantage of carrying sockets for the flower boxes.A1.3.8.4.3 Mechanized harvestingThe Spanish company “Cia General Azafran” has constructed varioustypes of a more or less complicated machines for flower harvesting. A cuttingbar cuts the flowers near to the ground. A conveyor canvas transportsthe flowers to the container boxes.This method increases harvesting efficiency and reduces productioncosts. On the other hand, its handicap is that it creates a lot of dirt andsmears the stigmas of the open flowers with soil. They also cut the leavesthat have grown together with the flower affecting eventually the futuregrowth of bulbs (Tammaro, 1990). However, the existence of leaves (esparto)is also a handicap on the efficiency during harvesting by hand sinceit takes a lot of time to remove the leaves.111