Agriculture: Saffron 'bank' reopens in Abruzzo

L'Aquila - The Consortium for the protection of Zafferano dell'Aquila DOP (L'Aquila's saffron) and the Cooperative "Altopiano di Navelli", to increase the production and encourage new producers, are supporting, once again, the "Banca dello Zafferano" (Saffron Bank). The initiative, says a note, offers anyone wishing to produce saffron for the first time, a certain amount of Crocus Sativus L. bulbs, as a "loan of honor", to be partially returned during the next three years depending on production results and to be reinvested in similar initiatives, in order to create a virtuous cycle. Requirements: to be eligible, candidates must reside in one of the municipalities within the "Zafferano dell'Aquila" DOP area (Barisciano, Caporciano, Fagnano Alto, Fontecchio, L'Aquila, Molina Aterno, Navelli, Poggio Picenze, Prata d'Ansidonia, San Demetrio nei Vestini, San Pio delle Camere, Tione degli Abruzzi, Villa S. Angelo), be less than 45 years old and never have professionally undertaken this kind of cultivation before.