Saffron rise on new ground

Kulgam, Nov 3: In a backyard in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, where cabbages once grew, saffron now blooms – crimson and defiant.

As saffron town Pampore’s famed fields wither, soil scientist Dr Zahoor Reeshi’s water-fed experiment in Kulgam is rewriting Kashmir’s saffron story, proving that with a touch of science and moisture, “red gold” can thrive beyond traditional fields.

As saffron growers in Pampore struggle with one of the poorest harvests in years, Agriculture department officer, Reeshi, is proving that saffron can thrive in unconventional settings, with little water being the secret ingredient.

In a small patch of land behind his home in Kulgam, Reeshi has done what many thought impossible: grow saffron in an area known more for vegetable cultivation.

What began two years ago as a simple experiment with discarded corms has turned into a small but striking success and a challenge to the belief that saffron can grow only in Pampore’s dry Karewa soils.

“The idea struck me when a colleague was about to throw away leftover saffron corms,” Reeshi said. “I told him, ‘Don’t discard them - let me try.’ That’s how it all began.”

Through trials and experiments, Reeshi discovered that saffron doesn’t actually wither due to water and in fact it needs it.

“For decades, people were told saffron should never be watered,” he said. “But that’s only half true. During the sprouting and flowering phase, it needs as much moisture as a vegetable crop. Without it, the corms don’t multiply, and growth stays stunted.”

His results are striking.

In Pampore, saffron leaves typically grow to about five inches.

In Reeshi’s garden, they reached 22 inches, thanks to carefully managed moisture and shade.

“In Pampore, high temperature swings and dry winds limit growth,” he said. “Here in Kulgam, consistent humidity helps the plants grow stronger and flower earlier.”

Reeshi said that Kulgam’s slightly cooler climate gives it an edge.

“The right temperature arrives here about 10 to 12 days earlier than in Srinagar,” he said. “That helps saffron flower sooner and grow taller.”

Now in his third year of cultivation, Reeshi harvested about 30 grams of saffron from three small beds - a modest quantity, but enough to prove a point.

“Saffron can be grown anywhere in Kashmir if scientific methods are used,” he said. “Treat it like a vegetable crop - control the moisture, aerate the soil, and it will thrive.”

Reeshi is documenting his findings in a book and believes that with controlled temperature and humidity, saffron could even be grown two to three times a year.

“This isn’t about replacing Pampore,” he said. “It’s about expanding Saffron’s reach, letting science work alongside tradition.”

His experiment comes at a time when saffron farmers across Kashmir are facing another disappointing season.

According to growers, despite good rainfall in September, this year’s output has dropped to just 20-25 percent of last year’s yield.

The prized crop, once a symbol of Kashmir’s prosperity, has seen a steady fall in both yield and acreage. Official data show that saffron cultivation has declined from 5700 hectares in the late 1990s to just 3665 hectares in 2025.

Farmers blame erratic weather, the lack of irrigation, and unchecked urbanisation.

“The long dry spell followed by sudden rains ruined the crop,” said a Pampore farmer. “We expected a good season, but production is down again.”

As Pampore’s saffron fields continue to shrink, Reeshi’s success in Kulgam offers a rare glimmer of hope – proof that with the right touch of moisture and science, even myths can bloom again.