Saffron growers fear another poor season

Srinagar, Oct 30: Saffron growers in Kashmir fear another disappointing harvest as flowering remains significantly below normal levels across most saffron fields despite the peak flowering period, raising concerns over the future of the region’s traditional crop.
Growers said flowering, which usually peaks after mid-October, has remained scanty this season, with comparatively better results reported in a few fields having access to irrigation. They said most growers continue to depend on rainfall, leaving their crops vulnerable to dry spells and changing weather conditions.
Abdul Majeed Wani, president of the Saffron Growers Association Kashmir, said the situation was worrying but expressed hope that flowering could improve in the coming week.
“Usually, saffron fields turn purple after mid-October, but this year flowers are appearing in very small numbers across most areas. Fields with better irrigation have shown comparatively encouraging results, and we hope flowering improves in the coming days,” he said.
Wani said the difference between irrigated and rain-dependent fields highlighted the need to restore irrigation infrastructure and ensure adequate water supply across the saffron-growing belt.
Ashiq Hussain, a saffron grower from Chandhara in Pampore, said inadequate irrigation, shortage of quality corms, conversion of saffron land for other purposes and porcupine attacks were compounding the sector’s difficulties.
He said porcupines damage underground corms, affecting the crop’s ability to regenerate, while the loss of saffron land and inadequate availability of quality planting material were hampering efforts to revive unproductive fields.
“The government needs to act now. We have been raising these issues for years, but growers continue to face the same problems. Irrigation, quality corms, protection of saffron land and measures to control porcupine attacks require immediate attention,” he said.
Growers said the majority of saffron fields remained dependent on rainfall and called for the restoration of defunct irrigation systems, improved water distribution and effective implementation of existing projects.
They also urged the authorities to prevent the conversion of traditional saffron land and ensure adequate availability of quality corms to rejuvenate old and less productive fields.
Government data shows that saffron production declined from 17.33 metric tonnes in 2021 to 14.87 MT in 2022, before marginally improving to 14.94 MT in 2023.
The growers have reported a further deterioration in subsequent seasons, estimating production at around 30 per cent of normal levels in 2024 and nearly 10 per cent in 2025.
The scanty flowering reported this season has heightened fears of another poor harvest, threatening farmers’ incomes and livelihoods associated with saffron cultivation.
The growers said repeated losses had made cultivation increasingly difficult to sustain, underscoring the need for long-term measures to address the underlying causes of declining productivity.
The growers called for renewed focus on the National Mission on Saffron, saying irrigation facilities, quality planting material and protection of saffron-growing land were essential to revive the sector.
They urged the government to assess the condition of saffron fields, restore irrigation infrastructure, promote scientific cultivation practices and introduce effective measures to protect corms from damage.
“The situation is alarming, and we cannot afford to lose another season. Functional irrigation, quality corms and protection of saffron fields can help improve productivity, but concrete measures are needed without delay,” growers said.
They said saffron was not only a source of livelihood for farming families but also an integral part of Kashmir’s agricultural heritage, urging the government to prioritise its revival. (KNO)