JAMMU: The government has acknowledged the importance of saffron as a key cash crop in Jammu and Kashmir, playing a pivotal role in the region’s economy. Saffron cultivation generates business worth more than Rs 500 crore annually and earns significant foreign exchange for the country. However, over the years, the annual production of saffron has declined steeply from 22,500 kg to approximately 2,000 kg, leading to substantial losses in income and business.
The government told the assembly in a written response on Monday that it has been implementing the National Mission on Saffron to address the declining saffron production. This initiative focuses on rejuvenating saffron cultivation through measures such as value addition, Geographic Indication certification, and boosting exports. Implementing these strategies has stabilised the saffron industry, with efforts directed at improving productivity and ensuring better returns for farmers.
The latest data from the Department of Agriculture, Kashmir, highlights production trends from 2021 to 2023. In 2021, saffron production stood at 17.33 metric tonnes, with exports amounting to 15.597 metric tonnes, generating a value of Rs 302.35 crore. In 2022, production declined to 14.87 metric tonnes, exports fell to 13.383 metric tonnes, and the value dropped to Rs 261.38 crore. In 2023, production slightly improved to 14.94 metric tonnes, with exports at 13.446 metric tonnes and a value of Rs 291.33 crore. The total area under saffron cultivation has remained constant at 3,715 hectares since 2010-11. However, production has fluctuated due to various factors, including adverse weather conditions in 2014-15, 2017-18, and 2018-19.
A key focus of the National Mission on Saffron has been the rejuvenation of saffron fields. Between 2010-11 and 2023, approximately 2,573.73 hectares of land have been rejuvenated, resulting in a productivity increase from 2.50 kg per hectare in 2009-10 to 5.14 kg per hectare in 2020-21 and 4.42 kg per hectare in 2022-23. The traditional cultivation areas, however, continue to face challenges, with productivity stagnating around 3.09 kg per hectare in 2022-23.
A study conducted by SKUAST-K in 2010 identified several factors contributing to the decline in saffron cultivation. These include a low benefit-cost ratio and high cost of cultivation, low productivity of 1.27 kg per hectare in 2000-01, traditional farming methods and lack of modernisation, biotic and abiotic stresses, including erratic weather patterns, and moisture stress at critical growth stages, which has discouraged farmers from continuing saffron cultivation.
The government has taken steps to improve market access and pricing for saffron farmers. The India International Kashmir Saffron Trading Centre in Dussu, Pampore, was established under the National Saffron Mission at an estimated cost of Rs 37.81 crore by the National Horticulture Board. The introduction of an e-auction facility at the centre has enabled better market linkages and improved earnings for farmers. The facility has recorded a steady increase in farmer participation and processing volumes. Farmer visits for saffron processing rose from 1,527 in 2020-21 to 5,866 in 2023-24. The volume of fresh saffron flowers received and processed increased from 3,221 kg in 2020-21 to 22,636 kg in 2023-24. Stigma yield, or lacha saffron, after drying grew from 70.84 kg in 2020-21 to 478.3 kg in 2023-24. GI-certified Kashmir saffron marketed through e-auction rose from 25.24 kg in 2020-21 to 87.35 kg in 2023-24. Quality saffron testing at the centre increased from 460 tests in 2020-21 to 2,261 tests in 2023-24.
While the National Mission on Saffron has led to an overall stabilization of saffron cultivation, challenges remain in ensuring consistent productivity and farmer participation. The government aims to further support saffron growers through research, modernisation of cultivation techniques, and continued market interventions. Addressing issues such as climate change impacts and high cultivation costs will be critical in sustaining and expanding saffron production in Kashmir. -(KL)
