Srinagar, Oct 22: A 27-year-old farmer has successfully cultivated saffron in Heevan Narvaw of North Kashmir Baramulla district.
It is for the first time that saffron has bloomed in north Kashmir. Usually grown in Pampore in some parts of Chenab Valley, the saffron cultivation in North Kashmir has busted many myths.
Mudasir Ahmad Bhat, 27, into uncharted territory when he tried his hands on the precious crop. And the results were astounding. “People here mostly cultivate paddy, maize, and apples, but I wanted to experiment with different crops,” he said.
Inspired by videos on saffron cultivation he saw last year, Mudasir said he reached out to a friend in Pampore for saffron corms. “However, my initial attempt yielded disappointing results due to inexperience,” he said.
This year, Bhat approached the endeavor with more care and expert consultation, which led to a much better outcome. “I have harvested saffron flowers at least seven times in the past few weeks,” he said.
Mudasir encourages farmers across Kashmir to consider growing saffron, even in small plots, to discover its benefits, which many are currently unaware of. His success has led several local farmers to express interest in cultivating saffron themselves next year.
“Many growers have started contacting me for guidance on saffron cultivation,” he said.
Mudasir’s successful trial has not only satisfied him but also inspired him to explore other crops. He believes that with the right support and technical assistance from officials, Narvaw has the potential to become a new hub for saffron production.
Saffron cultivation is highly sensitive to weather conditions. The lack of rain could severely affect the initial growth stages, ultimately impacting the quality and quantity of the harvest.
Saffron, also referred to as `red gold’, requires precise climatic conditions to thrive. The initial stages of saffron cultivation, which commence in August, are crucial for the crop’s development. Farmers have emphasized that this period necessitates regular spells of rain in August and September to ensure proper growth.
GI was granted to saffron in 2020 and since then the farmers have been harvesting good returns. A kilogram of saffron is sold at Rs three lakh against Rs 1.5 lakh or less three years before. Saffron now directly goes to Dubai and in the future, it will hit other countries as well. (With KNO inputs)
