Kashmir’s Saffron Cultivation at Risk Amid Global Warming Challenges

Srinagar: Saffron cultivation, a centuries-old tradition and vital economic resource in Kashmir, is facing severe challenges due to rising global temperatures and erratic weather patterns. The changing climate is threatening both the livelihoods of local farmers and the cultural legacy of saffron production in the region.

According to Kashmir Media Service, farmers in the region have witnessed declining yields as unseasonable warmth, irregular rainfall, and diminished snowfall disrupt the delicate environmental balance needed for saffron cultivation. Once producing nearly 17 tons of saffron annually, production has now stabilized at around 15 tons, though still far below the increasing national demand of 50 tons.

Research efforts at the Advanced Research Centre for Saffron and Seed Spices in Pampore are underway to support farmers, offering comprehensive guidance on irrigation schedules and cultivation techniques. Professor Bashir Ahmad Ilahi, Head of the Saffron Research Station in Pampore, highlighted the center’s efforts to mitigate climate impacts, providing farmers with updated irrigation methods and best practices for growing the crop.

Abdul Majeed Wani, a local saffron grower, expressed concern over the declining production but noted the establishment of a Saffron Park in Pampore, which provides critical support to farmers through testing, drying, marketing, and issuing Geographical Indication (GI) tags to ensure quality control. Prices for Pampore’s world-renowned saffron have risen as high as 2.5 lakh per kilogram, driven by its superior quality.

Despite the unpredictable weather, timely rainfall last year allowed the crop to recover to previous levels, and farmers remain hopeful for a fruitful harvest this season. However, the ongoing impact of global warming continues to threaten both the economic stability of the region and the deep-rooted traditions of saffron farming.

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