Saffron often called red gold is more than just a luxury spice. In regions like Kashmir, it’s part of cultural identity, local economy, and agricultural tradition. But over the past two decades, saffron production has seen a steep decline. Let’s dig into what’s causing it, focusing especially on water stress, soil health, and deeper systemic issues.
A Snapshot of Decline
Historically, Kashmir used to produce ~15.95 metric tonnes of saffron. Now, it’s fallen to around 2.6 tonnes in recent years. Mongabay-India+2Drishti IAS+2
This drop is not just about fewer flowers — it's about changing environmental conditions, soil degradation, and neglect of traditional and scientific farming techniques. PMC+2Juniper Publishers+2
Core Reasons for Declining Yield
Water Stress & Irrigation Problems
Reliance on Rainfall: Traditional saffron cultivation in Kashmir is largely rain-fed. That means if rainfall is erratic, the crop suffers. PMC+1
Irregular Rainfall: Even when rain comes, its distribution is often poor. For saffron, it's not just about how much rain falls, but when. September rains are especially crucial for corm sprouting. PMC
Droughts Hurt Deeply: During prolonged dry spells or drought years, saffron corms don’t get enough moisture to develop well. ijirt.org+1
Waterlogging Risks: On the other hand, if there is a heavy rain event and the soil doesn’t drain well, corm rot (fungal diseases) can set in — too much water is as bad as too little. sdiopr.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com+1
Poor Irrigation Infrastructure: Farmers repeatedly cite lack of reliable irrigation as a major barrier. Morning Kashmir+1
Interestingly, research suggests that frequent light irrigation is more effective than a few heavy watering events. saffrona.eu
Soil Fertility and Organic Carbon (OC) Decline
Low Organic Matter: The soil in saffron fields often has very low organic carbon. In Kashmir’s saffron soils, average OC has been reported to be quite low, limiting soil fertility. PMC
Nutrient Depletion: Over time, continuous saffron cultivation without adequate soil replenishment drains away nutrients. plantsjournal.com+1
Poor Quality Planting Material: Many farmers use substandard corms (the “bulb” from which saffron grows), and there isn't enough high-grade, nutrient-rich corm material going back into the soil. IJCRT
Aging Fields: When saffron fields are not rejuvenated or “renewed” (i.e., corms replaced, soil treated), yields naturally decline. saffrona.eu
Climate Change & Weather Variability
Rising Temperatures: Saffron has narrow temperature requirements; climate shifts are pushing those out of balance. Kashmir Times+1
Erratic Seasons: Unpredictable rainfall, reduced snow, and altered temperature cycles disrupt the growth cycle of saffron — corm sprouting, flowering, and dormancy are all impacted. ijirt.org
Increased Disease Pressure: Climate stress (heat, erratic rain) encourages fungal pathogens, causing corm rot and reducing yield. PMC
Pollution & Environmental Degradation
Cement Factory Dust: Cement factories near saffron fields release dust, harmful gases, and pollutants. This dust settles on the soil, reduces porosity, harms root growth, and even affects photosynthesis in plants. brighterkashmir.com+2Drishti IAS+2
Urbanization: Farmland is shrinking as saffron fields are converted for housing, infrastructure, or other land uses. dailyexcelsior.com
Lack of Technology & Knowledge
Traditional Methods Predominant: Many farmers still rely on indigenous methods. There’s limited use of modern agritech, and knowledge about improved post-harvest handling, irrigation systems, or optimized fertilization is low. Juniper Publishers
Poor Post-Harvest Management: Suboptimal drying, stigma separation, and storage reduce quality and yield. Juniper Publishers
Limited Use of Quality Corms: As mentioned, use of underdeveloped corms and not rotating or refreshing planting material is hurting productivity. IJCRT+1
Long Planting Cycles: In some cases, saffron corms are kept in the same bed for too many years (>10), instead of replanting after optimal cycles. newmanpublication.com
Socio-Economic & Policy Challenges
Market & Financial Stress: Farmers facing low yields also struggle financially. Some demands include loan interest waivers, better market access, and government support. Morning Kashmir
Weak Government Follow-up: Though missions and programs (like the National Saffron Mission) exist, their implementation is sometimes weak or surface-level. preciouskashmir.com
Corm Smuggling / Poor Seed Material Access: There’s sometimes illegal movement of corms out of the region, and many farmers cannot afford quality planting material. Morning Kashmir+1
What This Means for Farmers & the Saffron Industry
The decline in yield is not driven by a single factor, but by a complex interplay of climate, soil, infrastructure, and socio-economic issues.
For farmers, declining saffron means loss of income, threat to livelihoods, and erosion of a traditional agricultural practice.
For the region, it’s a risk to cultural heritage: saffron is a symbol of Kashmir, and shrinking production threatens that legacy.
Possible Solutions & Paths Forward
To reverse (or at least slow) this decline, several strategies can be adopted:
Improved Irrigation
Introduce efficient irrigation systems (sprinklers, drip) to manage soil moisture better.
Promote more frequent but lighter irrigation — this helps maintain optimal moisture without waterlogging. saffrona.eu
Soil Rejuvenation
Use organic amendments (manure, compost) to boost organic carbon in soil.
Implement soil testing and customized fertilizer plans to restore nutrient balance.
Rotate corms or replant after optimal cycles to prevent field “fatigue.”
Resilient Cultivation Methods
Encourage indoor/controlled-environment saffron farming. In Kashmir, researchers are already experimenting with controlled-environment cultivation to minimize weather risk. Mongabay-India+1
Develop disease-resistant corms or protocols to reduce losses from fungal rot.
Pollution Control & Land Protection
Regulate industrial pollution (especially cement dust) near saffron fields.
Protect saffron-growing land from being converted to non-agricultural use by enforcing zoning policies.
Capacity Building & Farmer Awareness
Train farmers on modern agronomic practices: better planting, harvesting, drying, and storage.
Encourage access to quality corms: government or cooperatives could help subsidize or supply graded planting material.
Policy & Financial Support
Provide credit support, interest waivers, or subsidies for farmers investing in improved irrigation or soil health.
Strengthen the National Saffron Mission or similar programs to ensure they deliver meaningful on-ground support.
Conclusion
Saffron’s decline is a wake-up call. This isn’t just about a drop in spice yield — it's about sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, and preserving a centuries-old heritage. If farmers, policymakers, and researchers can collaborate to fix the core problems (water stress, soil health, pollution, etc.),