Srinagar, Aug 28: Riyaz Ahmad Wani, a farmer of Utligam area of Beerwah in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district grows Cockscomb Flower (Mawal) traditional ingredient used in Rogan Josh has inspired farmers to cultivate the same. He has revived the unique traditional crop.
Riyaz associated with farming for 20 years said that two years ago, he went to a relatives’ home where he saw him growing Cockscomb Flower. He was inspired and brought its seedlings from there.
“I tried to see its market and it was an experiment. I tried to grow it on a small patch of my agriculture land, and the results were good. Then, I extended it further on three kanals of land,” he said. The farmer got a good response from the agriculture department and people from all corners.
“People used to grow cockscomb some twenty years back in their kitchen gardens, which is no longer seen anywhere. It was used in marriages and other functions. Even people would distribute it to neighbour and relatives,” the 40-year-old farmer said.
The farmer said that the Cockscomb flower was used as a local ingredient to add colour to wazwaan dishes and now it has been replaced with machine-made ingredients.
“Now people have also interest in it as the machine-made Cockscomb has many demerits. The flower has lot of benefits. It would be also used as colour in spices. It is used as colour in wazwaan. If people use this one instead of the chemicals it is better and would not affect health,” he said.
Cockscomb blooms can be red, pink, yellow, or white. The velvety, large flowers keep their colors even when dried, making them a perfect addition to wreaths or dried flower arrangements. The cockscomb is grown in many shades but is especially popular in red and purple.
Malik said the cockscomb is used as vegetable, spice and it is also used in home decorations.
“Cockscomb adds colour and textural interest to every garden. Cockscomb is globally known by many names such as amaranth, velvet flower and woolflower. But it is more than just a flower. It is used as an exotic spice in culinary delicacies,” he said.
Riyaz’s farming has inspired many farmers and people who have shown their interest in cultivating cockscomb and some have started its farming. He has also inspired his brother who has also grown the flowers. Apart from cockscomb, Riyaz also grows vegetables like beans, chilli, maize, potato etc. “I am getting good returns of the cockscomb produce,” he said.
He said that the agriculture department should work on the marketing of cockscomb so that they can get better rates and so that they can further promote the crop.
The cockscomb leaves and flowers (especially the leaves) are consumed in East and West Africa, in India, in China as well as South East Asia.
Tahir Ahmad Tahir, Agriculture Extension Assistant Agriculture Department Kashmir, who visited Riyaz’s farm recently, said cockscomb flower brings natural colour to Kashmir wazwaan dishes.
“It is a vegetable as well as spice. It is also used as dish. The leaves and stem of cockscomb flower are also used as vegetable. It has high medicinal value,” he said.
The agriculture department Kashmir has been trying to promote its production over the past two years and is working for its value addition so that it can reach to national and international markets. The extension wing of the department has been encouraging people to go for an integrated farming model.
“The future of the young generation is on agriculture and allied sectors. People should come forward and take initiatives and turn their agricultural land into farming,” Tahir said.
