Kashmir’s Saffron Fields Bloom, but Farmers Struggle as Yields Plummet by 75%

 

Climate change and shrinking farmland threaten Pampore’s centuries-old saffron heritage

 October 29, 2025, 06:27 PM | Pampore (Kashmir)

In the cool autumn light of Pampore’s Lethpora, often called the saffron town of Kashmir, the fields are once again tinted purple with the delicate bloom of saffron flowers. But for farmers like Ali Mohammad Reshi, the beauty hides a grim truth — the harvest is fading fast.

Walking slowly between neat rows of blossoms, Reshi plucks each flower with practiced precision. Inside each lilac petal lie three slender red stigmas — the threads that make up one of the world’s most expensive spices. But this season, his wicker basket tells a different story.

“This year’s yield is barely a quarter of what I produced last season,” he said, lifting a half-filled basket that once brimmed with flowers. “The flowers are fewer, the stigmas thinner — the land just isn’t the same anymore.”

Falling Yields, Shrinking Fields

According to official data, Kashmir’s saffron cultivation area has shrunk from about 5,700 hectares in the late 1990s to just 3,665 hectares in 2025 — a decline of nearly 36%. Meanwhile, average yields have dropped by over 75%, largely due to erratic weather patterns, unseasonal rains, and dry spells that have disrupted the delicate blooming cycle.

Experts say the combination of climate change, urban encroachment, and poor irrigation has left farmers struggling to maintain both quality and quantity.

Climate Pressures on a Precious Crop

Saffron — or Kesar — requires a unique blend of cold winters, well-drained soil, and just the right amount of autumn rainfall. But with the region warming and rainfall patterns becoming unpredictable, the crop’s traditional growing rhythm is increasingly under threat.

“Too much rain in October or an early frost in November can ruin an entire crop,” explained a local agriculture officer. “Saffron is extremely sensitive — a few days of weather variation can make or break the harvest.”

A Heritage at Risk

For centuries, saffron from Pampore has been celebrated worldwide for its deep color, distinct aroma, and medicinal value. The spice has been integral not just to Kashmir’s economy but also to its culture and cuisine. However, many younger farmers are now abandoning saffron cultivation for more reliable livelihoods.

“I inherited this land from my father and grandfather,” Reshi said, “but at this rate, I don’t know if my children will continue the tradition.”

Hope Through Technology

The government and research institutions have tried to revive the sector through the National Saffron Mission, introducing sprinkler irrigation systems and high-density corm planting. While these interventions have improved yields in some areas, implementation gaps and erratic weather continue to hamper large-scale revival.

Agriculture experts suggest integrating climate-smart farming, soil health monitoring, and drip irrigation to sustain the crop. “Without urgent adaptation, we risk losing not just a spice, but an entire heritage,” one researcher warned.

Kashmir’s saffron may still bloom each autumn — a spectacle of color against the fading fields — but behind the beauty lies a deep uncertainty. For farmers like Reshi, each flower plucked is both a symbol of pride and a reminder of a fragile legacy under threat.