On a chilly November morning, chirpy young women armed with wicker-baskets line up at full-blown saffron fields here. A sweet whiff of aroma fills the autumn air as they pluck the flowers with their tender hands.
Precious like gold, these flowers produce the costliest spice in the world which sells between Rs1.5 lakh and Rs 2 lakh per kg. This year the farmers have an added reason to smile as initial signs point at a good saffron crop.
“Initially there were some apprehensions about the crop production because of the cold conditions. However the temperature improved later and we are now expecting a very good crop,” said Farooq Ahmad, director of agriculture department, Kashmir.
This year, according to Ahmad, the saffron production may touch 11 metric tonnes which is half metric tonne more than last year. Around 3,700 hectares of land is under saffron cultivation in the valley, mostly in Pampore belt of south Kashmir. Plus, more than 100 hectares is being used for saffron cultivation in Kishtwar area of Jammu division.
“The saffron production has decreased over a period of time. Once our saffron production was between 30,000 and 40,000 kg. It now hovers between 10,000 and 12,000 kg. In 2009-10 our saffron was selling at Rs2 lakh to 2.5 lakh per kilogram but now the rates are comparatively gone down,” said GM Pampori, J&K Saffron Growers and Dealers Association.
Cheaper Iranian variety, heavy taxation, dwindling production, adulteration in Kashmiri saffron and lack of compatible marketing facilities have dealt a major blow to the saffron farmers here.
“Iranian and Spanish saffron is no match to our produce. Our saffron has more medicinal values. It has great aroma and color. But Iranian saffron is illegally shipped into India and it sells very cheap. Our crop, despite being an agriculture produce, is heavy taxed which has broken the back of farmers,” said Pampori.
Enter the Rs372.18 crore National Saffron Mission, the dying saffron cultivation has got a new lease of life. Sprinkle irrigation, state-of-the-art saffron park, new sowing techniques are all lined up for reviving the saffron trade in Kashmir.
“Last year we covered 363 hectares under this mission. This year more than 1,000 hectares were covered under his mission. Plus under this mission we are giving subsidy for soil treatment and that has also improved its health. We have dug 60 bore wells of the total 120 for micro irrigation,” said Ahmad.
The government has acquired land at Dossu village for establishing a saffron park. “We had identified land at Galander,” he added.
