Saffron

The project Saffron, initiated in September 2003 under cooperation with TEMA and support of the Harran University Agricultural Faculty. The project was on Protection of the Gene Sources of the Saffron Plant and Re-popularizing the Saffron Agriculture in Our Country, and was completed in November 2006. When the Saffron Project was initiated, one of the most significant objectives was to ensure protection of the gene sources and repopularizing agricultural activities of Saffron, as the project name implies. Following a 3 year period, while quantity of saffron bulbs is increased and new growing techniques are tried, saffron agriculture received attention of many segments particularly after the news published/aired by the media. When the project was completed, experiences gained in the project including those on the saffron agriculture were documented in a book titled "Saffron Flowers at Harran (Harran'da Safran Çiçekleri)", which was published in December 2007.

According to a research conducted in 2007 by GFK Turkey, the saffron project is among the 5 best known environmental projects in Turkey. The saffron project received many national and international awards, including the first prize on "environment" category in the Golden World Awards (2004), United Nations Honorary Award (2004), Active Academy Social Responsibility Award (2004); Platin Magazine's Those at the Top - The Award For Glittering Project to Turkey on Social Responsibility (2005)