SRINAGAR: The Government of India said it has addressed concerns regarding the significant decline in saffron production in Jammu and Kashmir, which saw a 67.5 per cent drop between 2010 and 2023.
PHOTO BY BILAL BAHADUR
According to the estimates provided by the Jammu and Kashmir Government, saffron production in the region plummeted from 8.0 metric tonnes (MT) in 2010-11 to just 2.7 MT in 2023-24. However, in a positive development, the saffron yield for the year 2023-24 has shown an 8 per cent increase compared to the previous year, signaling a slow but hopeful recovery.
This response followed a question raised by Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi in the Lok Sabha on December 17, 2024, about the challenges facing the region’s iconic saffron industry.
The National Saffron Mission (NSM), launched in 2010-11 to revitalize the saffron sector, had set ambitious targets, including the construction of 128 bore-wells for irrigation. However, only three bore-wells were functional at the time, raising concerns about the slow pace of infrastructure development. In response, the Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur, clarified that 85 bore-wells, equipped with sprinkler irrigation systems, are now operational, addressing a critical infrastructure gap.
In terms of tackling the broader issues affecting saffron cultivation, the government has implemented several key initiatives under the NSM. These measures include the rejuvenation and replanting of saffron fields, support for irrigation facilities, and the establishment of public sector nurseries for the production of planting materials. The introduction of the India International Kashmir Saffron Trading Centre (IIKSTC) and an e-auction platform has provided farmers with better marketing opportunities and ensured better price realization for their produce.
The government has also taken proactive steps to mitigate the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation on saffron fields. Research efforts are underway to develop saffron varieties that are more resilient to changing weather patterns, and regulations have been put in place to protect the fields from industrial encroachment. Additionally, the Jammu and Kashmir Water Resources (Regulation and Management) Act, 2010, and the State Action Plan on Climate Change have been enacted to address water management issues in the region.
Despite concerns over the Rs. 400 crore spent on the mission, the government has not ordered any inquiry into the implementation of the National Saffron Mission. Instead, it continues to focus on strengthening the infrastructure and support systems for the saffron industry, hoping that these initiatives will help reverse the decline and revitalize the sector.
