Kashmir’s Saffron Farmers Battle Global Warming to Save Their Golden Harvest

In the beautiful Kashmir Valley, saffron farming is more than just a job; it’s a tradition and a vital source of income for many families. However, global warming is making it hard for farmers to grow this precious spice. Unpredictable weather, warmer temperatures, and less snowfall are causing problems for saffron cultivation.

The Advanced Research Centre for Saffron and Seed Spices in Pampore, the only saffron research center in India, is working hard to help farmers. They have created an irrigation schedule to guide farmers on when and how much to water their crops. This information is shared with the Department of Agriculture to help farmers grow better saffron.

Professor Bashir Ahmad Ilahi from the research center explained that saffron seeds should be planted in late July, and the soil must be moist but not too wet. The flowers bloom in October, and harvesting happens by mid-November. Once planted, saffron can produce crops for 4 to 5 years.

Abdul Majeed Wani, a saffron farmer, shared that his family has been growing saffron for decades. He mentioned that India’s demand for saffron is about 50 tons, but they only produce 10 to 12 tons. To help farmers, the Indian government set up a Saffron Park in Pampore, which became operational in 2020. This park helps farmers test, dry, and market their saffron, ensuring its quality with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promoted GI-tagged saffron, making sure customers get the real deal. The Saffron Park also has the only authenticated saffron lab in Asia, which helps maintain the high quality of Kashmiri saffron, known as Grade 1.

Wani noted that the best saffron in the world is grown in Pampore, with prices ranging from 1.10 lakh to 1.25 lakh per kilogram. Thanks to the Saffron Park, they can sell saffron for up to 2.50 lakh per kilogram.

Another farmer, Ashraf Gull, mentioned that saffron is also known for its medicinal properties. He said that while they produce 10 to 15 tons of saffron, climate change is causing a decline. Saffron sells for around Rs 300 per gram in Kashmir and Rs 700 per gram outside.

Saffron has been part of Kashmir’s culture since the 5th century B.C. and is essential to the local economy. Only one percent of saffron growers rely on other agriculture. The unpredictable weather is a big challenge, but farmers are determined to adapt and preserve their saffron heritage.

The fight to save saffron farming in Kashmir is part of a larger battle against climate change, urging everyone to take action to protect not just their livelihoods but also their rich cultural traditions.