Jahangeer Ganaie
Pampore, Nov 11: In what has been described as one of the worst years for saffron cultivation in decades, growers across the Pampore belt — the heartland of Kashmir’s saffron — say that both outdoor and indoor production have been severely affected due to poor-quality corms and erratic weather conditions.
Saffron farmers said that this year’s outdoor yield has been alarmingly low — the lowest in several decades. Compounding their woes, many could not even switch to indoor saffron cultivation, which has emerged in recent years as an alternative to overcome unpredictable climatic patterns.
“We were hopeful that indoor cultivation would help us recover from the losses caused by erratic weather, but unfortunately, there were no quality corms available this season,” said Ghulam Nabi, a saffron grower from Lethpora. “The corms available in the market were of poor quality, and planting them would have meant wasting both money and effort.”
Another grower, Abdul Ahad from Khrew, said that the prolonged dry spell during summer, followed by untimely rains, affected the soil fertility and the overall health of the saffron corms. “Our corms have lost their vigour. They are getting smaller and weaker every year. Without good-quality corms, both outdoor and indoor cultivation are becoming impossible,” he said.
The farmers also voiced concern over the large-scale selling of saffron corms outside the valley, which they believe has contributed to the shortage and deterioration of quality. “The government has stopped the sale, and there is a need for stricter action to fully stop the sale of corms outside Kashmir. These corms are part of our heritage and economy — their outflow will only accelerate the decline of this industry,” said Manzoor Ahmad, another cultivator from Chandhara.
Experts have repeatedly warned that without timely intervention, the traditional saffron cultivation — already hit by climate change, urban encroachment, and poor irrigation — could face irreversible decline.
Growers are urging the government to establish dedicated corm multiplication centres and research units to improve corm quality and ensure their local availability. “If steps are not taken now, saffron, which once brought global recognition to Kashmir, will soon become just a memory,” said a local saffron association member.
Kashmir’s saffron industry, centred around Pampore and its adjoining areas, once produced around 16 metric tonnes annually. However, the figure has steadily declined in recent years, leaving thousands of families struggling to sustain their livelihood.
