Castilla-La Mancha launches saffron processing automation project

The DESBRINATOR project has launched in Castilla-La Mancha to automate the processing of saffron. Led by Cooperativa OPAZ, the Industrial Technological Center of Castilla-La Mancha (ITECAM), and farmer Rocío Torres, the initiative aims to develop an automated system for 'monda' (the delicate process of picking saffron stigmas).

Currently, the process is entirely manual, which limits productivity and the ability to attract younger generations to the sector. The 20-month project, funded with a total budget of approximately 248,561 euros, seeks to increase efficiency while maintaining the quality standards required by the DOP Azafrán de La Mancha. The initiative is co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (FEADER), the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha.