  Saffron is the most expensive spice and is significantly valuable in non-oil
export. Drying process of saffron is considered as a critical control point
with major effects on quality and safety parameters. A suitable drying method
covering standards and market requirements while it is costlty benefitial and
saves energy is desirable. Solar drying could be introduced as an appropriate
procedure in rural and collecting sites of saffron since major micorobial and
chemical factors of saffron can be preserved and achieved by using a renewable
energy source. So, a precise system taking advantage of management, engineering
and food technology sciences could be developed. Since there was no published
record of integrated methods of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy
Quality Function Deployment (FQFD) applied to solar energy drying systems, in
this paper, Fuzzy Quality Function Deployment as a quality management tool by
emphasizing technical and customer requirements has been implemented in order
to improve quality parameters, optimizing technological expenses and market
expansion strategy. Subsequently, Analytical Hierarchy Process based on survey
from customers and logical pair-wise comparison are employed to decrease costs
and increase the efficiency and the effectiveness of economic indicators. Using
the integrated approach of AHP and FQFD in solar drying systems in saffron
industry will result in cost benefit, quality improvement, the customer
satisfaction enhancement, and the increase in saffron exports.
