PAMPORE, Nov 11: Saffron production in Kashmir saw an increase of around 30 to 40 percent this year thanks to timely rains.
Chairman Saffron Growers Association Kashmir Abdul Majeed Wani said that while there are no irrigation facilities available for most saffron fields, the timely rains ensured an increase in production this year which otherwise has been low since 2014.
“Good amount of corn grew which led to a good crop which the growers had been waiting for the last many years,” Wani said. “Thank God, the production increased by around 30 percent this year and we are expecting good rates as well.”
Saffron fields were in full bloom this year and many tourists and visitors along the Srinagar -Jammu National Highway were seen halting their vehicles to click pictures and selfies in the nearby fields.
Bashir Ahmad Allaie, who heads SKUAST’s Advance Research Station for Saffron and Seed Spices at Dusoo Pampore, said that the dry spring and rains in October proved beneficial for saffron growers, resulting in the increase in the crop production.
Chief Agriculture Officer Pulwama, Mohammad Iqbal Khan said, “Saffron season is on as harvesting hasn’t been completed fully. We are expecting an increase of around 40 percent in production.”—(With Inputs From KNO)
