Pulwama, June 22: The Department of Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Kashmir has initiated fresh registrations for the rejuvenation of left-out saffron land in the Pampore area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, under the National Mission on Saffron (NMS).
Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO) Pulwama, Mohammad Iqbal Khan, told Rising Kashmir that the NMS was launched in 2010-11 to revive the saffron sector in Kashmir, particularly in Pampore, known as the saffron bowl of India.
“Under this mission, large portions of saffron land were rejuvenated using scientific interventions,” Khan said, adding that a significant portion remained uncovered at the time. He revealed that efforts are now being renewed to bring the remaining land under the mission.
Agriculture Extension Officer (AEO) Pampore, Ishtiyaq Ahmad, said that out of approximately 3,200 hectares of saffron land in Pampore, nearly 2,000 hectares were rejuvenated during the initial phase of the mission.
“About 1,200 hectares still remain untouched,” he said, adding that the rejuvenation component of the mission faced funding issues after 2018. “Some funds were received in 2021, and limited rejuvenation was carried out, but no further funds were released in subsequent years.”
He confirmed that fresh instructions have now been received to revive the remaining area. “Many farmers have already started registering for the scheme,” he added.
The registration process began on April 1, 2025, and will remain open until the end of the sowing season in October. Interested farmers can apply until then.
CAO Mohammad Iqbal Khan acknowledged that while the initiative has received a good response from farmers, the availability of saffron corms remains a challenge.
“Farmers will have to work with whatever quantity of corms is available this season,” he said, adding that at least some uncovered portions will get rejuvenated.
