Srinagar: The Centre on Tuesday revealed that saffron production has declined by over 67 percent from 2010 to 2024. However, there was a marginal increase of 4 percent in the last year.
In response to a question by National Conference Member Parliament, Hasnain Masoodi, the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Arjun Munda, stated that as per estimates from the Office of Financial Commissioner (Revenue) of Jammu & Kashmir, saffron production in the region decreased from 8.0 MT in 2010-11 to 2.6 MT in 2023-24 (provisional), marking an overall decline of about 67.5 percent over the period. He added that during the last year, from 2022-23 to 2023-24, saffron production marginally increased by 4 percent.
Munda also informed that out of the 128 deep bore wells sanctioned under the Saffron Mission, 123 have been constructed by the Horticulture Department and handed over to the Mechanical Engineering Department, Kashmir, for further linkage with the Sprinkler Irrigation Systems.
“The Mechanical Engineering Department, Kashmir has successfully connected 73 deep bore wells with the Sprinkler Irrigation Systems having a command of 2187.08 hectares. However, the irrigation facilities are not being utilized fully as the user groups for management and upkeep of these bore wells have not been created as per the Mission guidelines and have not been handed over to the farmer user groups,” he said.
Regarding adverse effects on saffron flowers, the minister said no adverse effects have been reported due to factors such as cement dust from industrial establishments.
“The Agriculture Production Department along with the revenue authorities, UT of J&K are implementing the Saffron Act, Saffron rules and other revenue laws which safeguard the saffron land from being diverted for any other purposes,” he added.
