The Bulgarian Association of Saffron Producers was founded by Hassan Tahirov, with the aim of helping tobacco farmers switch to saffron cultivation.[1] Investing his own money, Tahirov bought 45 kg of saffron bulbs and started pilot projects in five different locations in the Rhodopes, a region that is heavily dependent on tobacco farming. Compared to tobacco and other crops, saffron offers high and quick return on investments, since the saffron season lasts less than two months (from planting to harvest). The Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture has shown interest in the crop and Tahirov is looking into expanding the production of the crop.
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