Kashmir, known worldwide for its exquisite saffron, is witnessing a remarkable turnaround in its cultivation thanks to the ambitious “National Mission for Saffron.”
As outlined in the recently released Economic Survey 2024, this initiative is reshaping the saffron industry, tackling long-standing challenges, and offering renewed hope to farmers who have struggled in recent years.
The mission, launched with a project cost of Rs. 400.11 crore, has already utilised Rs. 258.67 crore to rejuvenate the saffron fields of Jammu & Kashmir. At its core, the mission aims to reverse years of declining productivity and profitability. Declining yields, as low as 1.88 kg per hectare, high costs of cultivation, and environmental stress caused by unpredictable weather patterns have plagued saffron farming, endangering the livelihoods of many.
According to report, a critical component of the programme is the rejuvenation of 3,715 hectares of saffron land, spread across key saffron-growing districts like Pulwama, Budgam, Srinagar, and Kishtwar.
As of now, 2,598.75 hectares of farmland have been revitalized, marking a significant step toward the mission’s goals. Pulwama, historically the heart of saffron production, has emerged as a frontrunner, with over 2,000 hectares rejuvenated. Budgam has exceeded its initial targets, and Srinagar and Kishtwar have successfully achieved full rejuvenation of their allotted areas, the report said.
The Economic Survey highlights that saffron cultivation has faced increasing vulnerability to environmental threats. Erratic rainfall, temperature fluctuations, and severe moisture stress during critical growth stages pose serious risks, often resulting in corm damage and pest outbreaks. To combat these challenges, the mission has introduced scientific cultivation techniques aimed at significantly improving biological yields. The goal is to achieve a yield rate of 7.5 kg per hectare—nearly four times the current average—thereby boosting farmers’ incomes and creating a more sustainable saffron farming system.
The Economic Survey mentions that equally important is the focus on eliminating inefficiencies in the saffron marketing landscape. Farmers for years have struggled to derive fair value for their produce due to the dominance of intermediaries in the supply chain. To address this issue, the construction of the **India International Kashmir Saffron Trading Center (IIKSTC)** in Dussu, Pampore, at a cost of Rs. 37.81 crore, stands as a pivotal achievement. This state-of-the-art facility ensures direct transactions between producers and buyers, allowing farmers to capture higher returns and creating a transparent, efficient marketplace.
One of the landmark developments highlighted in the **Economic Survey** is the granting of the geographical indication (GI) certification to Kashmiri saffron. This prestigious recognition has boosted the global demand for the spice, reaffirming Jammu & Kashmir’s reputation as the producer of the finest saffron in the world. With GI certification and better market access, farmers are now fetching premium prices for their crops both domestically and internationally, unlocking new economic opportunities for the region.
This effort to rejuvenate the saffron industry is not without its hurdles. Environmental uncertainties and the intensive costs of cultivation remain critical challenges. Saffron requires precise conditions for optimum growth, and weather anomalies continue to test the resilience of both the crop and the cultivators. However, with scientific advancements, organized marketing mechanisms, and greater governmental support, the situation is steadily improving.
The district of Pulwama, long referred to as Kashmir’s saffron capital, is now at the heart of this revival. Farmers here speak of renewed hope, their fields teeming with the promise of brighter yields. Budgam, Srinagar, and Kishtwar have also shown that with proper planning and concerted efforts, the future of saffron in Jammu & Kashmir can be secured.
