Why Kashmir’s Farmers Are Moving Saffron Cultivation Indoors
18 January 2025, New Delhi: Nestled in a picturesque valley beneath the snow-covered Himalayas lies Pampore, a small town in Indian-administered Kashmir renowned for producing the world’s most prized spice—saffron. Known for its deep red threads and unmatched fragrance, saffron is often referred to as “red gold” due to its labor-intensive harvesting process and high market value, reaching up to 325,000 rupees ($3,800) per kilogram.
India is the second-largest producer of saffron globally, after Iran, and nearly 90% of the country’s output comes from Kashmir, with Pampore at its heart. Every October, the town’s fields transform into a sea of bright purple as crocus flowers bloom, yielding the fragrant saffron threads used in culinary delicacies, perfumes, and dyes.
For generations, farmers like Nisar Ahmad Malik have practiced traditional saffron farming, cherishing the vibrant color, aroma, and quality of their crop. “I take great pride in cultivating this spice,” said Malik as he harvested flowers from his ancestral fields.
However, with climate change altering weather patterns and threatening production, a shift toward innovation is underway. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and rapid urbanization are putting pressure on Pampore’s saffron farms, according to the Indian Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). Saffron production in India has dropped sharply, from 8 metric tons in 2010-11 to just 2.6 metric tons in 2023-24, according to government data presented in February.
To counter these challenges, scientists and agricultural experts are exploring indoor cultivation methods that offer a more controlled environment. A notable initiative led by Dr. Bashir Ilahi at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences involves growing saffron in moisture- and nutrient-rich tubes. “Indoor cultivation allows for temperature regulation and significantly lowers the risk of crop failure,” explained Dr. Ilahi, standing amidst rows of crates filled with blooming crocus plants in his laboratory.
Farmers are gradually adopting this innovative approach. Abdul Majeed, president of the Kashmir Saffron Growers Association, praised the results of indoor farming, which he and some of his peers have been experimenting with for years. “It’s a remarkable breakthrough,” Majeed said.
Still, many growers believe government support is crucial to scaling this practice. “Indoor cultivation should be promoted on a larger scale,” urged Manzoor Ahmad Mir, a saffron farmer, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the impacts of climate change on agriculture in Kashmir and beyond.
As traditional farming faces mounting challenges, the introduction of modern techniques like indoor cultivation offers a glimmer of hope for preserving Kashmir’s iconic saffron industry.
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