Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Aug 14: Once the crown jewel of Kashmir’s agriculture, saffron cultivation, renowned worldwide for its unmatched aroma, flavour, and medicinal value, is facing a slow but steady decline.
Farmers and industry experts point to a shortage of quality saffron corms as one of the most pressing threats, a crisis worsened by rampant smuggling despite an official ban on their sale and transportation outside Jammu & Kashmir.
In a significant development, Awantipora Police, in coordination with the Agriculture Department Zone Pampore, foiled a major smuggling attempt. Acting on a tip-off, officials intercepted a vehicle at Toll Plaza Kachkote, seizing 1.5 quintals of saffron corms being transported illegally. The operation was led by Sub-Inspector Ishfaq Ahmad and Agriculture Extension Officer Pampore, Ishtiyaq Ahmad Bhat.
Officials said that such smuggling strikes at the very heart of the valley’s saffron economy. “When corms are smuggled out, our farmers are left with shortages during the planting season. This not only hits annual production but threatens the long-term survival of saffron farming in Kashmir,” a senior officer, requesting anonymity, said.
For many in Pampore — often called the “saffron town of Kashmir” — this is not just an agricultural issue, but a cultural one.
“Saffron is not just a crop; it is our heritage. If corm smuggling continues unchecked, our centuries-old legacy will vanish,” Abdul Majeed, a veteran saffron grower, warned.
He said the government must enforce the ban strictly and ensure farmers can access quality corms at fair prices. Without these steps, the younger generation will turn away from saffron farming altogether, Majeed added.
Kashmir’s saffron, famously dubbed “red gold”, is cultivated primarily in Pampore and adjoining areas. But over the past decade, production has dipped due to erratic weather patterns, reduced irrigation, and the ongoing smuggling menace.
Government data presented in the last Assembly session shows the worrying trend. The government provided detailed figures on saffron production, export volumes, and their respective values over the last few years.
In 2021, the production of saffron was 17.33 metric tons (MT), with 15.597 MT exported, generating a value of Rs 302.35 crore in production and Rs 272.12 crore from exports. In 2022, saffron production dropped to 14.87 MT, with exports totalling 13.383 MT, generating Rs 261.38 crore in production value and Rs 235.25 crore in export value.
However, in 2023, production saw a slight increase to 14.94 MT, with exports rising to 13.446 MT. The value of production for the year was Rs 291.33 crore, while exports were valued at Rs 262.2 crore.
While the total cultivated area has remained at 3,715 hectares since 2020-21, average productivity has fluctuated: 4.67 kg/ha in 2020-21, 4.00 kg/ha in 2021-22, and 4.02 kg/ha in 2022-23.
Officials say rejuvenated fields under the National Mission on Saffron have shown improvement, but the benefits are undermined when corms are siphoned off illegally.
Experts and farmers agree that without strong enforcement, increased farmer support, and strategic investment, the Valley risks losing its global standing as a premier saffron producer.
