Saffron cultivators witness decline in production amid erratic weather

Pampore, Nov 10: Saffron farmers have witnessed a sharp decline in yield this year. The cultivators are blaming long-drawn-out dry spells and other erratic weather conditions for the sharp dip in the production.

The harvesting season began last week with hundreds of saffron cultivators picking flowers in vast saffron farms, sprawling over hundreds of kanal, in south Kashmir's Pampore and other areas.

However, the farmers have expressed concern over the significant decline in production.

Ali Muhammad, a farmer, said that he had experienced around 10 to 15 percent dip in the yield.

Javed Ahmad, general secretary of the All J & K Saffron Farmers Association, estimated a 25 to 30 percent decline in saffron production compared to last year.

He, however, said that the exact percentage could not be confirmed.

According to the farmers, a protracted dry spell, particularly during the winters, impacted the production.

"Last year, we witnessed a snowless winter followed by dry summers and elevated temperatures, which took a toll on the production,” Ali Muhammad said.

He said that saffron cultivation needed moisture, particularly during September and October, and this year, the rain deficit affected the crop's growth, leading to lower yields.

"This lack of rainfall during the critical phase has impacted the quantity of the harvest, causing concern among farmers," Ali Muhammad said.

Official data shows that saffron output has dropped by 65 percent over the past two decades, with the area dedicated to its cultivation decreasing from 5707 hectares in 1996-97 to 2387 hectares by 2019-2020.

In 2023, however, the government approved a Rs 146 crore project to promote niche crops as part of Jammu and Kashmir's unique agricultural heritage, under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme.