Estahban Rainfed Fig
Estahban is the first dried fig producer in Iran. Other townships in Fars like Neireez, Kazeroon produce figs as well, But Estahban Figs are much more delicate and popular.
The area of fig orchards in Estahban was about 22950 hectares with a production of 17000 tons of dry figs. As compared to the world, Estahban constitute about 5.3 percent of the area and 6.5 percent of the world production of figs.
No chemical fertilizer is used for growing figs, but every year the soil under the trunk is replaced with fertile soil, and therefore, the fig products are considered organically grown.
What makes Estahban fig distinguished
Growing rain-fed and organically, having sweeter taste, drying naturally on tree and lots of health benefits are some of features which made this fig a unique fruit.
There is no process for drying this product. Figs become dried by sun lights on the tree and then fall on the earth. farmers collect them to warehouse to classify them.
Classification
Based on color, size and open-mouth size; figs are sorted.
Color
More light figs are more acceptable and more luxury. Light yellow, also called white, is the best color.
Size
- B: it is as small as peas and usually used for food industry companies to make marmalade. (10 to 15 mm diameter)
- A: most of them are between 15 to 18 mm.
- AA: most of them are between 18 to 23 mm.
- AAA: the largest one and is more than 23 mm diameter.
Planting
At the end of winter, and before the emergence of buds, a suitable land is selected for planting figs. Then holes of rectangular shape 50 cm ×100 cm and depth of 130 cm are dug. The bigger the hole, the faster will be the growth of plant. The distance between holes is usually 10 meters. Traditionally for selecting a suitable land of fertile soil in uncultivated lands, farmers collect some soil from the land, put it in a handkerchief and rub it by hand, if more soil is stuck to the handkerchief, they believed that the soil is more fertile and produces whiter figs which are good quality figs.
Irrigation management
Dry figs are rain-fed and their growth depends on precipitation amount. for collecting more rain water, two walls of each three meters long will be constructed at an angle of more than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees, it resembles like a human being who is stretching his hands beseeching for God’s mercy.
post planting controls
Fig stem borer is the main pest in this area. Removing this pest is a critical task which need experience and high level of skill. It is removed manually and without any chemicals. For doing it, the soil should be removed to find the location which pest entered. As this removed soil might cause worm into tree, treating this pest is usually after harvesting time.
Pollination
The spring fruit is used for pollination and is an appropriate place for ovipositing and growth of bee. Bees are alive in five days, therefore, pollination is done three times and each time for five days. Time of pollination depends on the weather conditions, but traditionally it starts seventy days after the new year.
