Saffron Cultivation on Decline

The changed weather conditions are posing a serious threat to the overall ecosystem and the environment with an increase in viral diseases and related health issues. This is having an impact on the lifestyle and living conditions of people across the nation. Jammu and Kashmir is not averse to it. This new challenge has started spreading its tentacles in this region also. There has been a delayed winter and steep rise in temperatures across the Union Territory (UT), leading to devastation of the crop pattern and having an adverse effect on cultivation. Harvesting patterns have changed, causing the imbalance in the supply and demand equation across the board. Kashmir is witnessing the worst impact of climate change on saffron cultivation. There is almost fifty percent decline in the saffron cultivation in Kashmir. The reason being the less rainfall. The saffron bowl of Kashmir, Pampore is worst affected by disproportionate rainfall. The saffron farmers are highly disturbed as their crops are concerned as their crops are suffering due to lack of adequate rainfall. In the month of September there has been lesser rainfall, which is insufficient for the saffron cultivation. Thus posing a grave challenge to saffron farmers. This year the saffron cultivation is estimated to be lower than the quantity of crop harvested in the previous years. The change in the weather pattern has not only led to decline in the saffron production but also increased the cost of cultivation. This imposes an added burden on the farmers who can’t meet the market demand due to this. Farmers are not satisfied with the National saffron Mission. It is pertinent to mention that the National Saffron Mission (NSM) was launched in the fiscal year 2010-11 to catalyze the saffron cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir. Not only that, to extend the scope and dimension of the NSM, the government included the North-Eastern parts of India in 2020 in this mission. This mission was mainly an integral part of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY).The aim was to improve the socio-economic condition of the people living in Kashmir who are involved in saffron farming and cultivation. Agricultural scientists are citing global warming as the major cause that is having an adverse impact on saffron production. For satisfactory growth of the saffron there is a sufficient need of rainfall usually around the month of September before the flower blossoms. Due to lack of moisture there is an adverse impact on the flower growth. Saffron has brought Kashmir on the global stage due to its uniqueness and quality. Farmers who are traditionally involved in saffron farming must be encouraged by the government in this crisis situation and the policy makers must swing into action. If the grave threat being posed by the changing climatic patterns is not addressed scientifically then it can lead to tremendous loss to the saffron business of Kashmir. There is a need for cutting edge technology to be introduced to mitigate this challenge. Agricultural scientists of SKUAST-Kashmir and SKUAST-Jammu must put their heads together and explore the course correction to end this climate imposed challenge. These two universities have been doing a good job as far as the introduction of innovative techniques is concerned for the overall crop growth in Jammu and Kashmir. Moreover, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir must take a policy decision to hold the hand of saffron cultivators who have worked hard from generations to bring Kashmir on the world map in terms of saffron production and made saffron synonymous with Kashmir and its identity.