Pampore zone in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, renowned for its high-quality saffron, has witnessed the rejuvenation of 217 kanals and 10 marlas of saffron land during this season.
The plantation of saffron corms has been in full swing across various saffron-growing areas, with extraction and sowing efforts continuing in different parts.
Farmers from the area revealed that the extraction of saffron corms began on August 20, with the planting process expected to last until ending September, 2024.
The farmers said that the corms, which multiply within the soil, must be extracted periodically to maintain and propagate the saffron crop.
According to saffron grower Irshad Ahmad from Patal Bagh village, the corms are typically extracted every six years to ensure healthy propagation. “They need to be rejuvenated after a certain period to keep the saffron yield high,” Irshad explained.
He recently rejuvenated one kanal of land after extracting corms from an equal-sized plot.
Abdul Aziz, another saffron grower from Lethpora, also rejuvenated one kanal of saffron land after extracting corms from the same-sized patch.
Officials from the Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Department confirmed the ongoing saffron planting and extraction activities across the Pampore zone, with regular updates being recorded to track progress.
Ishtiyaq Ahmad, Agriculture Extension Officer for Pampore, told Rising Kashmir that a total of 217 kanals and 10 marlas of saffron land have been rejuvenated thus far, while extraction has taken place over 210 kanals and 1 marla.
Breaking down the figures by circle, the authorities shared that in Lethpora, 118 kanals and 17 marlas of land were extracted for corms with 112 kanals and 8 marlas undergoing rejuvenation. In Pampore, 25 kanals were extracted and rejuvenated.
In the Khrew circle, 11 kanals and 10 marlas of land were used for extraction, while 15 kanals were rejuvenated. The Wuyan and Konibal circles saw 11 kanals and 10 marlas extracted, with 14 kanals and 10 marlas rejuvenated in Wuyan.
In Konibal, extraction took place on 23 kanals and 14 marlas, while 21 kanals and 6 marlas were rejuvenated.
In Samboora, 14 kanals and 10 marlas were extracted, while 30 kanals and 6 marlas were rejuvenated.
Meanwhile, in Sharshali, 5 kanals of land underwent both extraction and rejuvenation.
