JAMMU: The Government said that the National Saffron Mission, launched in 2010-11 with an outlay of Rs 400.11 crore, has achieved several key objectives, including halting the decline in saffron cultivation and improving productivity. The mission, developed by SKUAST-K and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation, was aimed at reviving saffron farming in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the government, the area under saffron cultivation has remained stable at 3,715 hectares since the mission’s launch, with 3,665 hectares in Kashmir division and 50 hectares in Kishtwar. Productivity has increased from 2.50 kg per hectare in 2009-10 to a peak of 4.42 kg per hectare in rejuvenated areas in 2023. Additionally, the establishment of the Indian Institute of Kashmir Saffron and Technology Centre (IIKSTC) and Saffron Park has played a crucial role in ensuring better prices for farmers, with saffron prices rising from Rs 80,000 per kg to Rs 2,20,000 per kg in 2021-22.
Financially, out of the total project cost of Rs 400.11 crore, Rs 315.99 crore was allocated by the Centre, while Rs 84.12 crore was contributed by farmers. To date, Rs 269.915 crore has been released, with Rs 259.6756 crore spent on various initiatives. The year-wise value of saffron production stood at Rs 302.35 crore in 2021, Rs 261.38 crore in 2022, and Rs 291.33 crore in 2023. Similarly, exports were valued at Rs 272.12 crore in 2021, Rs 235.25 crore in 2022, and Rs 262.2 crore in 2023. However, despite the significant expenditure under the mission, saffron production has declined from 17.33 metric tonnes in 2021 to 14.87 metric tonnes in 2022 and 14.94 metric tonnes in 2023, raising concerns over the effectiveness of interventions.
Despite these achievements, certain challenges remain. The government acknowledged that while new irrigation technologies, including 132 bore-wells for sprinkler irrigation, were introduced, not all became functional, leading to concerns among farmers. A committee investigating the matter found that eight bore-wells—four each in Srinagar and Budgam—had remained non-functional for a long time. Further, concerns over land encroachments by powerful entities have also been raised, with complaints lodged with revenue officials. Farmers have also expressed concerns over maintenance costs for irrigation infrastructure, with some bore-wells requiring additional investments to be fully operational.
The government has stated that local leadership, saffron growers, and other stakeholders have been actively involved in policymaking through various committees. Moreover, IIKSTC’s efforts in post-harvest processing have improved saffron stigma recovery from 22 g/kg to 28 g/kg, while scientific drying has enhanced saffron colour quality from 80 per cent to 160 per cent. The introduction of e-auctions has further helped in ensuring fair prices for farmers, reducing the role of intermediaries and making transactions more transparent.
On whether an in-depth inquiry into the mission’s shortcomings would be conducted, the government said that while most objectives have been met, certain gaps remain. Measures are being taken to resolve outstanding issues, including improving irrigation infrastructure and addressing concerns over land use. The government also indicated that it remains open to further consultations with farmers and local representatives to ensure the continued success of the mission.
