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Energy, Environmental, and Economic Sustainability of Saffron Cultivation: Insights from the First European (Italian) Case Study

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  • Andi Mehmeti

    (Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari, Via Ceglie, 9, 70010 Valenzano, Italy
    School of Agricultural, Forest, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Vincenzo Candido

    (Department of European and Mediterranean Cultures, Environment and Cultural Heritage, University of Basilicata, Via Lanera, 20, 75100 Matera, Italy)

  • Kledja Canaj

    (Department of Management, Finance and Technology, LUM Giuseppe Degennaro University, S.S. 100—Km 18, 70010 Casamassima, Italy)

  • Donato Castronuovo

    (School of Agricultural, Forest, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Michele Perniola

    (Department of European and Mediterranean Cultures, Environment and Cultural Heritage, University of Basilicata, Via Lanera, 20, 75100 Matera, Italy)

  • Paola D’Antonio

    (School of Agricultural, Forest, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Loriana Cardone

    (Department of European and Mediterranean Cultures, Environment and Cultural Heritage, University of Basilicata, Via Lanera, 20, 75100 Matera, Italy)

Abstract

Saffron ( Crocus sativus L.) stands as a valuable agricultural commodity, witnessing an increasing market inclination toward environmentally sustainable and eco-friendly products. The current literature on the environmental impact and profitability of saffron cultivation is limited, underscoring a notable gap in comprehending the sustainability aspects of this crop. This study utilized a comprehensive multi-model approach to assess the sustainability of annual saffron cultivation, representing the first global detailed evaluation, conducted within a European context (Southern Italy). Energy analysis, physical and monetized life cycle assessment (LCA), and life cycle costing (LCC) were used for a cradle-to-farm gate assessment. One hectare of cultivated saffron, one saffron production yield (stigma, corm, and flower), and 1 kg of stigma yield were used as functional units. The total energy input was 65,073 MJ ha −1 , being 33% direct, 67% indirect, 72% renewable, and 28% non-renewable. The majority (55%) of energy is derived from corm production. For 1 kg of saffron the energy efficiency, specific energy, and productivity were 2.98, 4.64 MJ kg −1 , and 0.22 kg MJ −1 , respectively, while these values dropped significantly for 1 kg of stigma. The multi-indicator LCA analysis using the ReCiPe 2016 model revealed significant contributions to various environmental impact categories. Results align with prior research, pinpointing fertilization and mechanical operations as the primary drivers of diverse environmental impacts. A noticeable carbon intensity was estimated, with a relevant contribution from corm production and human labor, aspects overlooked in previous LCA studies. Saffron cultivation maintains economic viability, with production costs at EUR 98,435 per ha −1 and a net return margin of EUR 172,680 per ha −1 , bolstered by the high market price and by-product revenue. Monetization of LCA results revealed that external costs were EUR 15,509 per ha −1 , being only 14% of the total cost. Investments in improving yield and resource efficiency have the potential to increase the eco-efficiency of saffron cultivation.

Suggested Citation

  • Andi Mehmeti & Vincenzo Candido & Kledja Canaj & Donato Castronuovo & Michele Perniola & Paola D’Antonio & Loriana Cardone, 2024. "Energy, Environmental, and Economic Sustainability of Saffron Cultivation: Insights from the First European (Italian) Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-21, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:3:p:1179-:d:1329933
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kledja Canaj & Andi Mehmeti & Julio Berbel, 2021. "The Economics of Fruit and Vegetable Production Irrigated with Reclaimed Water Incorporating the Hidden Costs of Life Cycle Environmental Impacts," Resources, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-13, September.
    2. Wang, Zhiwei & Lei, Tingzhou & Yang, Miao & Li, Zaifeng & Qi, Tian & Xin, Xiaofei & He, Xiaofeng & Ajayebi, Atta & Yan, Xiaoyu, 2017. "Life cycle environmental impacts of cornstalk briquette fuel in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 83-94.
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    1. Nunzia Cicco & Vincenzo Candido & Rosa Coluzzi & Vito Imbrenda & Maria Lanfredi & Michele Larocca & Annarita Lorusso & Carla Benelli & Adriano Sofo, 2025. "Revitalizing Marginal Areas of Basilicata (Southern Italy) with Saffron: A Strategy Approach Mixing Alternative Cultivation System and Land Suitability Analysis," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-23, April.

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