Saffron Growers in Kishtwar demand irrigation facilities to cope up with weather challenges; Couldn’t get ground water even after digging 240 feet deep, Saffron festival on Cards: Chief Agri Officer Kishtwar; Committed to boost saffron production in J&K: Agri Min
Imran Shah
Jammu, (TDD): This year there has been huge defect of rainfall in not just Kashmir but also in Jammu region that cast shadow on the production of famed saffron also known as red gold.
The farmers are worried not just they are in losses but the cold shouldering of the government towards ensuring proper irrigation facilities for them in absence of rainfall. While voices are growing up from Kashmir region for having irrigation facilities, similar demand is popping up from Jammu region as well especially from the areas known for growing saffron especially Kishtwar district.
In Kashmir, the saffron bloom this year was good and could have been much better if there would have been proper rainfall. The farmers while harvesting the Saffron in Kashmir told The Diplomat that for the saffron fields and to expect a satisfactory bloom of saffron crop, moisture is the important factor that was missing this time around. Similar views were expressed by the saffron growers in Jammu’s Kishtwar.
While speaking to The Diplomat, Pawan Kumar of Kishtwar, said that this time less rainfall caused a huge dent to the saffron crop produce. “October and till November 15, we used to pluck the saffron flowers from the fields thrice. This time, situation is altogether is different. After plucking the flowers in first attempt and after visiting the fields after a gap of a week, there were a handful left, which is a worrisome,
A group of farmers from Kishtwar district who are otherwise fully dependent on Saffron produce expressed serious concern over the government apathy of not providing them with irrigation facilities. “Nobody has control on the nature. But if government would have given us proper irrigation facility, situation would have been altogether different,” they said.
Talking to The Diplomat exclusively, Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO) Kishtwar Amjad Hussain Maliks said saffron crop has reduced due to the fact there was less rainfall and that ground water is almost vanished. “Under the Bore well scheme, we dug almost 240 feet deep at few sites but couldn’t get the ground water. So the scheme couldn’t be launched properly,” he said.
He, however, said that efforts of the department haven’t stopped. “We are launched massive awareness program for the saffron growers so that the crop production increases. We need farmers to cooperate with us. Growers can apply online for various schemes available for them,” he said.
The CAO Kishtwar said that Saffron is being covered under Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP). “A Saffron spice park is coming up in Kishtwar besides we are also going to host a mega Saffron Festival to promote the crop and also to create mass awareness among the farmers about this famed crop,” he said.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Javaid Dar said that government is committed to save saffron from extinction. “I recently took a review of the department and the need to boost saffron production in J&K was deeply felt. A series of steps will be taken to increase the saffron crop in J&K,” he said—(TDD)