Investigating the factors affecting the willingness of saffron farmers to test the quality control of the crop

This study aimed to improve the level of quality classification of saffron and increase farmers' profits by creating a hypothetical market to investigate the factors affecting selection and the willingness of farmers to pay for saffron quality testing using contingent valuation method and open-ended question. data were collected by a questionnaire from a random sample of 170 saffron producers in Khorasan Razavi province. Two-stage Heckman model was used to identify the factors influencing choice and estimation of willingness to pay. data analysis showed that about 48 percent of farmers are willing to pay an additional amount for a quality test, of which 29 percent showed willingness to pay more than 900,000 rials per kilogram of flower. The results of the model's estimation also showed that age, education, land ownership and history of saffron quality testing in the past have a positive and significant effect on the likelihood of choosing and the amount of willingness to pay extra for quality testing. Accordingly, the use of proper and comprehensive training, holding public organizations and promotional activities can play an effective role in encouraging farmers to conduct quality tests.Key words: Saffron, Willingness to pay, Contingent valuation, Two-stage Hackman model.This study aimed to improve the level of quality classification of saffron and increase farmers' profits by creating a hypothetical market to investigate the factors affecting selection and the willingness of farmers to pay for saffron quality testing using contingent valuation method and open-ended question. data were collected by a questionnaire from a random sample of 170 saffron producers in Khorasan Razavi province. Two-stage Heckman model was used to identify the factors influencing choice and estimation of willingness to pay. data analysis showed that about 48 percent of farmers are willing to pay an additional amount for a quality test, of which 29 percent showed willingness to pay more than 900,000 rials per kilogram of flower. The results of the model's estimation also showed that age, education, land ownership and history of saffron quality testing in the past have a positive and significant effect on the likelihood of choosing and the amount of willingness to pay extra for quality testing. Accordingly, the use of proper and comprehensive training, holding public organizations and promotional activities can play an effective role in encouraging farmers to conduct quality tests.Key words: Saffron, Willingness to pay, Contingent valuation, Two-stage Hackman model.