Srinagar, Dec 17: The National Saffron Mission launched in 2010 to revive saffron cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir, has fallen short of expectations, with production plunging by 67.5% over the past 13 years.
As per the data available with Rising Kashmir, the saffron production in J&K decreased from 8 metric tons in 2010-11 to just 2.7 MT in 2023-24. However, the last year saw a slight recovery, with an 8% increase in production.
The details reveal that one of the major challenges under NSM has been the delay in completing essential irrigation infrastructure. Out of the 128 bore wells with sprinkler irrigation systems planned in 2010, only 85 have been commissioned so far.
The National Saffron Mission was launched to address multiple challenges, including declining yields, lack of irrigation facilities, and poor post-harvest practices with the key objectives of the mission include rejuvenating existing saffron fields to improve productivity and supporting irrigation through bore wells and sprinkler systems.
The objective of NSM was also to Produce high-quality planting materials, enhancing post-harvest quality through mechanization and setting up weather stations, e-trading platforms, and quality certification mechanisms.
The India International Kashmir Saffron Trading Centre (IIKSTC) was established to provide farmers with a one-stop solution for processing, marketing, and e-auctions, ensuring better price realization, the details read.
It said that the J&K administration has implemented several measures to support saffron cultivation, including enacting the J&K Water Resources (Regulation and Management) Act, 2010, adopt a State Action Plan on Climate Change to address environmental challenges, conduct research to develop climate-resilient saffron varieties and enforce environmental regulations to protect saffron fields from industrial impacts.
Despite spending ₹400 crore under the mission, concerns remain about its implementation and effectiveness as no formal inquiry has been ordered to evaluate the mission’s outcomes which raises questions about the utilization of funds and delays in achieving key targets.
