SRINAGAR: Kashmir’s famed saffron fields, particularly in Pampore, have transformed into a striking purple landscape, filled with the rich aroma of the world’s most valuable spice. However, this year’s yield has been disappointing for farmers, who are grappling with a 25-30 per cent drop in production due to prolonged dry weather and inadequate irrigation.
Farmers like Ghulam Mohammad Dar from Konibal village express frustration over the reduced harvest, citing the non-functional irrigation systems launched by the government. “A long dry spell and lack of effective irrigation have led to a decline in production,” Dar shared, as he and his wife picked flowers in the early morning hours.
Despite the challenges, the Department of Agriculture’s National Saffron Mission and the India International Kashmir Saffron Trading Centre (IIKSTC) in Pampore are working tirelessly to support farmers through post-harvest processes like stigma separation, drying, and quality evaluation. According to IIKSTC In-charge Tariq Ahmad Parray, the centre has been processing two quintals of saffron flowers daily, converting them into 10-12 kilograms of fresh saffron, with one kilogram requiring over 135,000 flowers.
The GI (Geographical Indication) tag awarded to Kashmir saffron last year has also heightened its demand both domestically and internationally, attracting interest from major companies like Jayanti Herbs and Spices in Karnataka. “This company, which previously sourced saffron from Iran, is now seeking bulk purchases from Kashmir after seeing the quality and GI tag certification,” said Abdul Majid Wani, Chairman of the Saffron Association of Kashmir.
This season, 30-40 buyers from both India and abroad have registered with the Kashmir Saffron Park, booking much of the available stock in advance at competitive prices. For 2024, the prices have been set at Rs 185 per gram for ‘Lacha’ and Rs 255 per gram for the premium ‘Mogra’ variety, with Wani estimating around four tonnes of total production this year.
The Department of Agriculture, led by Director Chowdhury Mohammad Iqbal, is also working to expand saffron cultivation and is hopeful for rainfall, forecasted for November 10 and 11, which could boost the ongoing harvest before it concludes on November 15. In addition, the department has outlined plans to increase irrigation support and expand the saffron-growing area to help stabilise future yields.
Looking forward, Wani and other stakeholders remain hopeful that the government will prioritise improved irrigation infrastructure. As the high demand continues, Kashmir saffron’s quality and authenticity are winning it an expanding global customer base, helping the region’s farming community navigate this challenging season.
