Untimely snow, urbanisation may hit saffron production in Kashmir
SRINAGAR : Saffron known as the golden crop is facing an all time decline in production due to changing climatic conditions and untimely snowfall this year. Saffron growers and officials attribute various reasons for the slump in production and term massive urbanisation as a threat to the crop.
Saffron growers claim that this year’s production could hardly cross more than two tons, which is half the production in the previous year. However, some officials and growers say that snowfall might prove to be a blessing in disguise for saffron growers in the future.
To enhance production, ₹400 crore ‘Saffron Mission’ was launched in 2010, however, it was recently extended for two more years. Under the scheme, 128 sprinkle bore wells had to be constructed, but so far only eight or nine have been completed.
Director, agriculture, Altaf Ajaz Andarbi said in 2017 the production was recorded at four tons.
“This year, we are still gathering data about the production. Sunshine after untimely snowfall could have helped the growers. We will be able to ascertain the production estimate only after tabulation.”
Saffron Growers Association, president, Abul Majid Wani said, “Untimely snowfall in October caused huge damage to saffron crop this year. As per our estimates, production will not cross more than two tons this year.”
He said even last year the production was not encouraging due to draught like condition and less rainfall from August to October.
Mohammad Yonis Khan who grows saffron on two hectares of land said, “Snowfall reduced my yield to half of what it was during previous years. We hope due to less production the rates will be good.’’
On the Karewas of Pampore, Saffron is grown on both sides of the national highway. According to officials, the golden crop is grown in more than 230 villages of south Kashmir. Due to rapid urbanisation, from 5,800 hectares in late 1990’s the crop is currently grown on 3,800 hectares. However, officials say the potential land for saffron could touch around 10,000 hectares if traditional and non-traditional land is utilised.
India is the second largest producer of saffron and the crop is only grown in Kashmir. Iran is the leading producer of saffron in the world.
In 2012-13, around 17.56 tons of saffron was produced. Since then the production has declined. Officials say that the saffron produced in Kashmir sells between Rs 1.5 lakh to 2.25 lakh per kg.
Dr Farooq Lone, a professor in Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture and Technology (SKUAST) who has done research on saffron says irrigation plays a pivotal role in the crop’s production and the growers are still following old techniques.
“In other places where the crop is grown, the production per hectare is more than 7kg. However, in Kashmir it’s a mere 1.25kg to 2kg per hectare,’’ he said.
Dr Sher Dar, who heads the saffron research station, SKUAST, said various factors contribute in the decline of saffron production.
“Timely irrigation and rainfall can help to double or triple the production in Kashmir in the coming years. If there is timely rainfall between August and October the yield can be good,” he said.
Dr Dar said the department held a saffron day in the first week of November and farmers were guided about the ways to improve production by implementing latest techniques. An interactive session with the farmers was also held to share various techniques to get bumper crop.
Dr Dar said with traditional and non-traditional means, saffron can be cutivated on 10,000 hectares of land.
He said, “Urbanisation is posing a grave threat to saffron production. Houses are being constructed on the Karewas and many growers have shifted from saffron to horticulture due to inefficient marketing and middlemen.”
‘’Quality seed and timely irrigation along with marketing can boast the saffron production. Once the Saffron Mission is complete, we are hopeful the production per hectare will be more than five to six kilograms,’’ Wani said.