Data shows fluctuations in production, exports
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Mar 24: The saffron industry has stabilized since the launch of the National Mission on Saffron, with improved productivity boosting exports, the Government informed the Legislative Assembly today.
In a written reply to MLA Pampore Hasnain Masoodi’s question on declining saffron production, the Government stated that the cultivation area has remained at 3,715 hectares since 2010-11, with overall production showing improvement.
“While productivity declined due to natural weather-related challenges in 2014-15, 2017-18, and 2018-19, it has generally improved, resulting in increased production and exports,” the Minister in charge said.
In its reply, the Government stated that it is rejuvenating and improving saffron cultivation through the implementation of the National Mission on Saffron, focusing on value addition, GI certification, and boosting exports.
The figures shared by the Government confirm a decline in saffron production from 17.33 metric tonnes in 2021 to 14.87 metric tonnes in 2022, before a slight recovery to 14.94 metric tonnes in 2023.
Similarly, exports fell from 15.597 metric tonnes in 2021 to 13.383 metric tonnes in 2022, before rising to 13.446 metric tonnes in 2023.
Also under the saffron rejuvenation program, 2,572.73 hectares were rejuvenated in 2020-21, leading to increased productivity, but, the numbers suggest that the traditional saffron farming areas have declined over time.
In terms of production, the Government presented figures for the past three years, stating that in 2021, saffron production was 17.33 metric tonnes, which declined to 14.87 metric tonnes in 2022 and slightly increased to 14.94 metric tonnes in 2023.
Exports followed a similar trend, with 15.597 metric tonnes in 2021, decreasing to 13.383 metric tonnes in 2022, and rising slightly to 13.446 metric tonnes in 2023.
The value of saffron production in 2021 was Rs 302.35 crores, which declined to Rs 261.38 crores in 2022 but increased to Rs 291.33 crores in 2023.
The value of saffron exports stood at Rs 272.12 crores in 2021, dipped to Rs 235.25 crores in 2022, and rose again to Rs 262.2 crores in 2023.
“The saffron industry has stabilized since the launch of the National Mission on Saffron,” the Government stated.
Regarding rejuvenated areas under the mission, the Government reported that in 2020-21, a total of 2,572.73 hectares were rejuvenated, yielding 13.22 metric tonnes of saffron with a productivity rate of 5.14 kg per hectare.
For 2021-22 and 2022-23, the total area under saffron cultivation in the rejuvenated sector remained at 2,598.73 hectares. Production stood at 11.43 metric tonnes in 2021-22 and slightly increased to 11.49 metric tonnes in 2022-23. Productivity was recorded at 4.4 kg/ha in 2021-22 and 4.42 kg/ha in 2022-23.
In 2020-21, the traditional (non-rejuvenated) saffron cultivation area was 1,142.27 hectares, producing 4.11 metric tonnes, with a productivity of 3.60 kg/ha.
In 2021-22, the area declined to 1,116.27 hectares, production fell to 3.44 metric tonnes, and productivity dropped to 3.08 kg/ha.
In 2022-23, the area remained at 1,116.27 hectares, with a slight increase in production to 3.45 metric tonnes and a productivity rate of 3.09 kg/ha.
Regarding the total area, average production, and productivity of both rejuvenated and non-rejuvenated areas over the past three years, the Government stated that in 2020-21, the total saffron cultivation area was 3,715 hectares, with an average production of 17.33 metric tonnes and an overall productivity of 4.67 kg/ha.
In 2021-22, the total area remained 3,715 hectares, but production declined to 14.87 metric tonnes, reducing productivity to 4.00 kg/ha. In 2022-23, production increased slightly to 14.94 metric tonnes, with productivity at 4.02 kg/ha.
Government stated that to address this issue and revive saffron production, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation, Government of India, introduced the Economic Revival of Saffron Sector in J&K during 2010-11, based on the SKUAST-K study.
It further stated that the India International Kashmir Saffron Trading Center (IIKSTC) has been constructed under the National Saffron Mission at Dussu, Pampore, where the introduction of the e-auction facility has significantly improved market access, enabling farmers to secure better prices for their saffron produce.
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