Mubashir Aalam Wani
Srinagar, Aug 20: Saffron farming in Kashmir is off to a promising start this year, thanks to timely rains that have arrived at a crucial period for the crop.
The rainfall, which has been particularly beneficial for saffron, contrasts sharply with the challenges faced by other crops in the region this season.
The valley’s saffron fields, known for producing some of the world’s most prized saffron, have seen a positive boost from the recent precipitation.
This timely rain is expected to enhance the quality and yield of the saffron, providing a much-needed uplift for local farmers.
“It is really a moment of joy for the farmers as saffron is a very delicate crop and needs timely rainfall. This rainfall received this week will help the crop to grow, thereby enhancing its quality and quantity,” said Muzaffar Ahmad, a farmer.
In contrast, vegetables and paddy crops have suffered significantly this year due to prolonged dry weather. The extended dry spell earlier in the season adversely affected the growth of vegetables in particular, leading to concerns about reduced yields and increased difficulties for local farmers.
Saffron farmers also had expressed their concern about the prolonged dry weather, saying the crop which is in its infancy requires frequent spells of rain.
“There hasn’t been a major impact on the crop yet. However, saffron requires regular rainfall after August 20 and in September,” said Abdul Majeed Wani, President of the Saffron Growers Association of Kashmir.
The growers claimed the enhanced production recorded during the last few years was a result of periodic rainfalls received in the valley.
“Saffron cultivation is very sensitive to weather. Insufficient rain can hinder early growth and affect the crop’s quality and yield. However, recent years have seen favorable weather conditions, which have positively impacted both production and quality,” said Bashir Ahmad, another saffron farmer.
Dry weather has been often throwing challenges for the saffron cultivation in Kashmir.
Pertinently, the government launched the 4.1 billion Rupee National Saffron Mission (NMS) in 2010 to mitigate these challenges and rejuvenate saffron cultivation in Kashmir.
Apart from manual irrigation, the growers claimed that timely rains play an important role in the growth of the crop.
To reduce the impacts of climate change, farmers in Kashmir have resorted to indoor farming.
This mode of farming which is not yet common has shown promising results as the growers got good returns in terms of production as well as quality through indoor farming.
