Kashmiri saffron yield withering fast

PAMPORE (Jammu and Kashmir): As they prepare to reap the fruits of their hard labour, farmers here are worried. The yield of the saffron crop - which has brought glory to this part of the Kashmir valley - has been falling year after year.

Some 14 km away from the Jammu and Kashmir summer capital, Pampore -- the heartland of saffron where a stone memorial greets you with the message "World's Best Saffron Grows Here" -- is slowly losing its sheen.

"I have personally suffered a 50-60 percent decrease in the yield in the past 15 years," says Ghulam Nabi, a farmer in Lethpora village near the town.

Nabi, who has a sprawling saffron field inherited from his forefathers, says: "Previously, a one-acre field would yield around two kilograms of saffron. Now we are getting only 900 grams from it."

Farmers and experts believe that changing climatic conditions and cement factories around the area are fast affecting the production of the world's costliest spice - the best quality Kashmir saffron being sold at Rs.55,000-60,000 per kg.

For commercial purposes, saffron is grown primarily in India, Spain and Iran. Kashmir has the proud privilege of producing the best quality saffron, known for its unique aroma.

The time for its flower to bloom is autumn. Its orange stigmas are harvested and used as a flavouring and colouring agent in various recipes. Saffron is also added to qahwa - the traditional saffron Kashmiri tea.

According to the agricultural department, the production per 'kanal' (505 sq m) has reduced from the normal 150 gm to as low as 70 gm, terribly hitting the trade, with which nearly 10,000 farmers are directly associated.

Scanty snowfall and rainfall is the major cause of the yield decline, according to experts. The area, as per official records, has been receiving less rain and snow in the past many years than other parts of the valley.

"Pampore gets only one to three inches of snow during winter which is far less than in any other part of the valley," says Henna Qadiri, an agricultural assistant with the department.

"Lesser rain and snow has resulted in the drying up of various streams and other water bodies in the area, which is a big factor contributing to the agricultural debacle," said Qadiri, who is also pursuing research on saffron cultivation.

"A rise in average temperatures and the early and fast meltdown of glaciers in the Pir Panjal mountain range have affected water availability to a great extent during the last one and a half decades, badly affecting the crop cultivation."

However, climate is not the only cause, says Qadiri, adding that cement factories established in the area are continuously emitting smoke and dust, making saffron cultivation more difficult.

"The dust coming from cement factories causes imbalances in the nutritive contents of the soil due to the high content of mercury present in it which results in the retarded growth of plants," she says.

Farmers allege that the cement factories do not use filter bags during night on their emissions, as a result of which the cement dust settles on everything, including the saffron fields.

Officials also blame the construction boom for the decline of crop produce. A survey conducted by the finance department says 5,361 hectares of land was used for cultivation of saffron in the early 1980s. This stood at 2,928 hectares last year.

In order to save the receding crop, Qadiri suggests more scientific techniques, proper harvesting and better processing.

The government last year had promised to introduce post-harvest technologies to save the cash crop. But nothing has been done so far.

"We have been approaching the government to save this crop, which gives not only bread and butter to us but also brings us cultural glory, but to no avail," alleges Mohammed Subhan, a farmer of Kadlabal village near the town.

Farmers and suppliers associated with the trade have also been struggling to introduce a grading system for the spice to maintain quality control.