AgriBiz
Deteriorating legacy of saffron industry in Kashmir
Athar Ayoub
Dhaar Mehak M
Saffron industry in Kashmir
One of the oldest and yielding family occupations prevalent in the valley of Kashmir has been the cultivation of Saffron. The karewas of Pampore are internationally known for the quality and quantity of saffron across the world. Through the ups and downs of time and periods of natural and man-prompted disasters, this sector has been quietly yielding a stable and rather steadily growing output over the period of time. Generations after generation have been associated with the cultivation and rearing of saffron. People across the binary gender, residing predominantly in the Pampore area have been habitually and evolutionarily working in this sector.
On the technical side, though India ranks second only after Iran in terms of productivity of cultivation in Saffron it ranks seven. This points to the existence of huge inefficiency in the saffron production of the country. For years at a stretch, there has been under-production happening in the saffron production of the country. More than 90% of India’s saffron cultivation comes from Kashmir, estimated to be around 15.04 metric tonnes (MT) for the year 2021. However, for the last fifty years, there has been a considerable decline in both the cultivable land and the overall Saffron productivity in the valley of Kashmir. While in the year 2009, the total area under cultivation for Saffron was 2667 hectares with a production of 5.61 tonnes, almost a decade earlier in 1997 it was 5707 hectares and 15.97 tonnes respectively. These numbers highlight a decline of 114% in area and 184% in yield in a time period as short in span as 12 years.
For years at a stretch, there has been under-production happening in the saffron production of the country. More than 90% of India’s saffron cultivation comes from Kashmir, estimated to be around 15.04 metric tonnes (MT) for the year 2021. However, for the last fifty years, there has been a considerable decline in both the cultivable land and the overall Saffron productivity in the valley of Kashmir. While in the year 2009, the total area under cultivation for Saffron was 2667 hectares with a production of 5.61 tonnes, almost a decade earlier in 1997 it was 5707 hectares and 15.97 tonnes respectively. These numbers highlight a decline of 114% in area and 184% in yield in a time period as short in span as 12 years.
Results like these are an outcome of a number of factors that have cumulated over the years. Some of the most commonly identified factors include; lack of availability of good-quality corms as seed material, poor soil fertility, lack of assured irrigation, infestation by rodents and diseases, poor postharvest management, improper marketing facilities, increased urbanization on saffron land, the helplessness of the Government in checking adulteration and clandestine smuggling of cheap saffron (allegedly from Iran), which is later sold and marketed in the name of Kashmir saffron.
Simultaneously from time to time, certain measures have been put in place to restrain the underproduction in Saffron cultivation, so as to bring in a change and reach as closer to the potential output as possible. The fundamental channel of intervention and attainment of the aspired output is from the government directly to the grower. Quite contrary to this, the existence of intermediaries leads to multiple failures towards the attainment of the prosed outcomes. Analysing the current trends, it turns out that in the past decades the maximum marketing margins were accumulated within the pockets of intermediaries (retailers and agents) followed by wholesalers, leaving the primary saffron growers with an unfair share of their very own produce.
The saffron growers reveal that in contemporary times the causes of less productivity across the Kashmir region are: climate change, non-availability of timely irrigation and information asymmetry between those framing the policies for the farmers and the farmers themselves. Though the government has been initiating measures to revamp the damage, the Saffron cultivators conclude that almost 60% of the land under which saffron is cultivated was brought under a pipeline network scheduled to irrigate the land. However, in practice, the project has been full of flaws and thus ended up failing miserably. Leaving the land yet again to the mercy of timely and untimely rains. The saffron growers in the first place lack scientific knowledge, do not have access to modern know-how and technology and at the same time lack all sorts of trust over the government. One such typical example is the sale of hybrid saffron corms that the government announced some years ago. Given the mistrust between the people and the government, it was rumoured that the sowing of the hybrid saffron corm distributed by the department of agriculture will transfer the private property rights of the owners to the government. As a result, the vast majority of saffron cultivators didn’t take those corms and the productivity and output ended up remaining under-attained.
Whatever interventions the government and administration intend to make, the campaign of enhancing the productivity of saffron would not bear the desired results unless for starters a certain level of trust is established between the saffron cultivators and the government. Following this, facilities for assured irrigation need to be created, at least at the pre-sprouting and pre-flowering stages. Irrigation facilitates lead quick activation of buds, further leading to the corm sprouting and the eventual timely flower initiation. An empirical study by Nehvi (2004), and Nehvi and Makhdoomi (2007b) bring forth the fact that an annual saffron crop requires an average of 10 irrigations, and needs to be sprinkler irrigated for seven days at the sprouting stage (which is approximately around 25th August to 15th September) followed by three irrigations at the post-flowering stage (around 8th to 30th November) at weekly intervals.
In a recent and rather unusual move, the Government of India initiated a National Saffron Mission (year) with a financial outlay of Rs 3.74 billion for resolving the saffron crisis in Kashmir through different programmes. This program includes rejuvenating saffron farms by corm re-planting, digging bore wells for irrigation, and setting up a modern Saffron Park with a quality control laboratory for providing adequate marketing cover to saffron growers, thus eliminating exploitation by middlemen. However, from the ground, there are mixed reactions and opinions coming from the farmers about the initiation and implementation of the mission. The actual attained outcome from this mission and its various programs is yet to be ascertained for success or failure. Saffron Industry in Kashmir.
Case-Study
“The JK Agro” is a registered saffron firm which has been gainfully employing generations of the Khanday family from Pampore. It has been around six years since the third generation has overtaken the business. The upcoming generations from the saffron families have been trying to expand and diversify the business. One of the most common channels has been through proper marketing, e-marketing and processing of the saffron and allied products. JK Agro, in an attempt to expand, has been making huge investments. But the major hurdle faced by it in attaining the expected growth has been the declining productivity of output. As a result, the younger generation of small and medium-scale saffron farmers have steadily been moving out from the industry and instead looking for other sources of employment. However, families like Khanday’s are of the opinion that complete dependency on saffron might not be enough to fulfil their subsistence needs and hence are trying hard to find jobs distant from their ancestral domain…
Given the various facets discussed above, the broader conclusion drawn is that the decline in the cultivable land and productivity of saffron in Kashmir is the basic reason behind the ever-increasing crisis in the heritage-saffron industry of Kashmir. The most appropriate channel to win back the industry and the people associated with it is to stake strict actions towards the restoration of the karewas land and to scientifically enhance the overall productivity of the saffron in the Kashmir region.
The authors are affiliated with the Department of Economics, Islamic University of Science and Technology and can be reached at dhaarmehak@gamil.com
Dr Zahoor Ahmed Rather
Prof Imtiyaz Tahir Nazki
Blossom at Risk
The global environmental agencies declared 2024 the hottest year and over the course of the last century, the average surface temperature of earth has increased, amounting to around 0.74 0C.As per the Economic Survey, India is the seventh most vulnerable country to climate change and faced severe weather extremes, with 93% of days in 2024 marked by extreme climate events such as heatwaves, cyclones, and floods. As the world grapples with the phenomenon of climate change, one of the most visually striking yet often overlooked casualties is the floriculture industry. From tulips in the Netherlands to roses in Kenya, the delicate balance required for flower cultivation is being disrupted by rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and shifting ecosystems. The floriculture industry employs millions of people, from small-scale farmers in developing countries to large-scale exporters in Europe and Asia. The decline in flower quality and quantity due to climate change could have far-reaching consequences not only affecting global flower supplies but also small-scale flower growers, being the backbone of this industry, and may be forced out of business. At present, 1191 growers registered with Department of Floriculture (J&K) are active in commercial floriculture business generating an income of Rs. 19.42 crores (2023-24) which is under threat due to climate change.
The Kashmir’s temperate climate, fertile soil, and glacial waters have nurtured a flourishing floriculture industry with an area of about 431.25 ha alone under gardens, parks and lawns, attracting tourists all over world. Kashmir once celebrated as the “Garden of Eden” for its riot of colors and fragrances, isnow slowly turning into a battleground where nature and climate change are stuck in a grim struggle. Extreme weather events, like unseasonal frosts, irregular precipitation patterns, prolonged droughts and increased evaporation rates are becoming more frequent. One of the immediate consequences of climate change in Kashmir is the disruption of traditional weather cycles.
The most significant impacts of climate change are the alteration of crop blooming cycles. A shorter blooming season, improper floral growth and colour development, and insufficient flowering are all problems associated with commercial flower cultivation, especially under open field conditions. Thus flower crops like tulip, marigold, gladiolus, annuals grown under open conditions will be greatly affected by these erratic weather changes. Among ornamental crops, flowering bulbs are considered as vital indicators of climate change due to their sensitivity to minor seasonal cues and temperature changes. Warmer temperatures are causing flowers to bloom earlier than usual, disrupting supply chains and affecting seasonal markets. Spring flowering bulbs viz., tulips, daffodils and crocuses are among the first plants to signal the onset of spring, have been observed blooming earlier than historical averages. Warmer winters have caused premature bud formation making them highly susceptible to unexpected frost. Ornamentals such as tulips, daffodils, magnolia, irises which need chilling temperature for flowering are adversely affected. Under present scenario of mild winter and warm spring, the bulb yield oftulip is expected to hit badly. On the other hand, summers, with prolonged unexpected heat waves have also disruptedthe normal blooming process of flowers. These conditions lead to shortening of flower duration and deterioration of aesthetic and commercial value.
Temperature extremes not only influence the timing and quantity of flowering but also affect flower quality including volatile fragrances of flowers. Temperature at low to medium range plays a critical role in pigment production especially anthocyanin which contributes to the vibrant colours of flowers. The extreme temperature has also been linked to declining number of flowering buds and smaller flower diameters in species like Antirrhinum majus and Impatiens walleriana. Any unusual change in photoperiodism and thermoperiodism due to climate change would result in a significant deviation in the flowering patterns of plants such as carnations, chrysanthemums, and poinsettias.
The plant hardiness zones have also been observed to move northward or upwards in response to rising temperatures. Diversity of some alpine species has become vulnerable and their distribution is gradually narrowed. The rhododendrons and other woody ornamentals of lower hills have begun to invade the alpine areas thus changing the composition of plant population. Changes in the timing, duration, and abundance of flowering have the potential to disrupt ecological relationships among plants, pollinators, herbivores, flower parasites and pathogens.
Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns and increased humidity create favourable conditions for outbreak of pests and diseases by expending habitat range that can cause damage to ornamental plants at high scale. This can pose a significant challenge to sustain quality production in floriculture, thus requiring integrated approaches to devise management strategies.
The plight of Kashmir’s floriculture is a microcosm of the global climate crisis. Despite the challenges, the floriculture industry has to adopt innovative approaches to combat climate change. Farmers can take up greenhouse cultivation to have better control of temperature and humidity and drought-resistant flower crops along with precision farming practices like drip irrigation etc. The modern approaches like roof and vertical gardening can play an important role in improving air quality, and reducing surface temperature in the built environment, costs for heating or cooling of building and noise pollution. Interior landscape plants are also useful to enhance indoor environmental quality and improve workplace efficiency. Development of public parks and lawns enriched with native flora improves air quality, mitigate health risk and maintain species diversity. The AI-powered systems can also be used to monitor and optimize the growing conditions of high value crops. Therefore, the future of Kashmir’s floriculture depends on collaborative efforts across all sectors. Policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders must join their hands to work together to execute policies and practices that promote sustainability and protection of the region’s floral heritage and tourism industry associated with it.
The authors are faculty at SKUAST-K’s Division of Floriculture and Landscape, Shalimar. zahoor.rthr@gmail.com
BK News
Srinagar: The month-long Training of Trainers (ToT) program for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), organised by Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) and Agriculture Department in collaboration with the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad, concluded successfully, marking a major milestone in capacity building for agricultural transformation in Jammu and Kashmir.
The program brought together some of India’s foremost agricultural business experts to train nearly 300 resource persons in eight batches. Designed under SKUAST-K’s HADP Project 20: Innovative Approaches for Promoting Agriculture in J&K, the initiative aimed to strengthen farmer organizations such as FPOs, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Common Interest Groups (CIGs), and Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS). The program covered topics like FPO formation, business planning, supply chain management, and market linkages.
The valedictory session, held at SKUAST-K’s Shalimar Campus, was attended by Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal, who commended the university’s efforts in empowering trainers to lead grassroots-level transformation. He encouraged the participants to utilize their skills to create resilient and sustainable farmer organizations, emphasizing the need for market-oriented and collective farming practices.
Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, who actively monitored the program, in his message stressed the importance of FPOs in transitioning J&K from subsistence farming to sustainable commercial agriculture. Drawing comparisons with advanced economies, he highlighted the urgent need to increase agricultural processing, which currently stands at just 2% in the region.
Prof Masood Saleem Mir, Associate Director Research and Principal Investigator of the HADP Innovative Extension Project, elaborated on the program’s objectives and logistics. “This training was designed to address the unique challenges faced by farmer organizations in J&K. By equipping participants with technical, managerial, and entrepreneurial skills, we aim to create a ripple effect where these trainers will mentor and guide farmers across the region,” he said. Prof Mir further highlighted the strategic collaboration with MANAGE Hyderabad and the Agriculture Production Department, which ensured the program’s success.
“Our aim is not just to train individuals but to build a system where farmers can access consistent support and practical solutions for their challenges. The comprehensive curriculum, covering everything from FPO formation to business sustainability, is tailored to meet the region’s specific needs,” Prof. Mir added.
The training, facilitated by MANAGE Hyderabad, featured country’s top expert in FPO formation, business planning and supply chain management. These experts provided strategic insights into FPO management, business sustainability, and innovative mobilization techniques, ensuring practical outcomes for the participants.
Participants praised the program for its practical orientation, stating that it had demystified the complexities of building successful FPOs. Many called for follow-up sessions focused on developing tailored, commodity-based business plans to enhance FPO effectiveness.
This initiative aligns with SKUAST-K’s vision to make J&K a model bioeconomy in the country, fostering a resilient and sustainable agricultural landscape. The university plans to replicate the program in the Jammu division, further extending its impact.
The event concluded with the distribution of certificates to the trainees and a pledge by all stakeholders to work collectively towards uplifting the region’s farming community.
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