Growers worried as Saffron production declines with each passing year

SRINAGAR: Saffron, a costlier spice in the world with medicinal value cultivated in the Pampore hamlet of Pulwama is witnessing a decrease in production with each passing year.

Growers from Pampore hamlet of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, which is popularly known as the saffron town of Kashmir said that production is decreasing day by day as the schemes of government only exist on paper and are not being executed on the ground.

Subzar Ahmad, a local resident, said that production is decreasing with each passing day as the government on ground has failed to take steps to revive this sector.

He said that uneven weather, pollution and other things have reduced production in the area besides that rates have also decreased.

Subzar said that the government must make the borewell facility functional, so that growers can spray water whenever required without depending on rain water.

He said that rates are less, more and more land under saffron is being converted into apple orchards and other purposes. Locals said that this year production as compared to last few years was good but if there would be artificial water supply available.

They said that the government must take steps to revive this sector at an earliest so that people associated with this sector earn their livelihood and the costliest spice won’t get extinct from the valley.

Saffron (Crocus sativus) is a plant. The dried thread-like parts of the flower (stigmas) are used to make saffron spice, food coloring, and medicine.

As per experts Saffron contains chemicals that might alter mood, kill cancer cells, decrease swelling, and act as antioxidants. It can take 75,000 saffron blossoms to produce a single pound of saffron spice. Saffron is largely cultivated in Iran and harvested by hand. It’s one of the world’s most expensive spices.

People commonly use saffron for depression, anxiety, Alzheimer disease, menstrual cramps, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and many other conditions.

It has a medicinal value, costliest spice boosts the immune system, antioxidant, reduces labour pain, may improve mood and treat depressive symptoms, may have cancer-fighting properties., may reduce PMS symptoms., may act as an aphrodisiac, may reduce appetite and aid weight loss, easy to add to your diet and is used as colouring agent—(KNO)