Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Nov 16: Indoor saffron farming is now a reality, as growers have succeeded in cultivating saffron indoors, with experts saying the method can revolutionize the sector by helping to address issues such as climate change and dwindling land cover.
The new approach claims to generate two kilograms of saffron from a 20X20-foot closed space, compared to the previous method, which would require approximately 54,000 square feet of land to produce the same quantity. The scientists put the novel approach to the test this year after achieving a good output in laboratory conditions last year, with a yield of 2 kg generated in just 20×20 space.
Growers are experimenting with saffron cultivation inside their homes in collaboration with SKAUST-Kashmir, with the goal of increasing productivity.
Abdul Majeed Wani, president of the Saffron Growers Association, is pleased with the harvest he received after planting roughly 400 saffron corms in small trays in a room. “The cultivation was done under the observation of professionals from the SKUAST. I am pleased with the production,” he said.
He is one of the first cultivators to begin indoor Saffron farming and is now intending to hold workshops to raise awareness of the approach among farmers. “By this other growers can also use the method and increase their production,” he said.
Last year, experts at SKUAST’s Advanced Study Station for Saffron and Seeds Spices Pampore undertook research by cultivating the corms in controlled settings. “This year, the cultivation was tested at the homes of some of the growers, and the results are promising,” Dr. Bashir Ilahi, who is a scientist at SKAUST, told Excelsior
While describing the procedure, he said that the new method allows saffron to be cultivated in trays in a controlled atmosphere. “This is a multi-tiered technique because the cultivation begins in August and the corm requires 80-90 days of darkness. Between October 10 and 15, flowering will begin, and harvesting will begin in November “he said.
The new technology, according to Dr. Illahi, has the potential to enhance saffron growing in Pampore and other valley regions. “It may be advantageous to farmers with less cultivable land. They can grow saffron using either the classic or innovative methods,” he said.
Saffron grown in this manner, according to the saffron expert, is temperature resistant and has no chance of crop failure. He continued that early snowfall or less rain will have little influence on the harvest because saffron is grown in enclosed four-wall constructions. “Saffron grown using this technology, a higher concentration of crocin in the flower than saffron farmed using traditional methods,” he said.
Director Agriculture, Choudary Iqbal, told Excelsior that indoor saffron growing has just recently been introduced and, if successful, would help growers greatly. “We can readily obtain flowers, but the true test comes after flowering when the seed undergoes vegetative reproduction. That stage is still a challenge and if we are able to tackle that part then the initiative will be a big success,” he said.
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