The Jammu and Kashmir Government has said that saffron production in the Union Territory has not witnessed any recent decline, asserting that the National Mission on Saffron (NMS) has successfully stabilised cultivation area and improved productivity across key saffron-growing districts.
Replying to a starred Assembly Question tabled by MLA Hasnain Masoodi, the Agriculture Production Department (Horticulture Sector) Minister stated that while saffron cultivation and productivity had sharply declined prior to 2010—with area shrinking from 5,707 hectares to 3,715 hectares and productivity dipping to as low as 1.27 kg/ha—the trend was effectively halted after the launch of the “Economic Revival of J&K Saffron Sector” under the National Mission on Saffron.
The government informed that the total saffron cultivation area has remained stable at 3,715 hectares since 2010-11 (3,665 ha in Kashmir division and 50 ha in Kishtwar).
In rejuvenated areas, productivity has shown marked improvement. In 2024-25, total saffron production stood at 19.58 metric tonnes with an average productivity of 5.27 kg/ha. The highest production in the last five years was recorded in 2023-24 at 23.53 MT with productivity touching 6.33 kg/ha.
The department attributed temporary dips in certain years to adverse climatic conditions, including the 2014 floods and prolonged dry spells in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
The value of saffron production has witnessed a sharp increase in recent years. In 2024-25, the value of saffron production was pegged at Rs 534.53 crore, while export value reached Rs 486.43 crore. In 2023-24, exports were valued even higher at Rs 491.31 crore.
Officials said the establishment of the Indian Institute of Kashmir Saffron and Technology Centre (IIKSTC) has helped farmers secure better prices—ranging from Rs 80,000 per kg earlier to as high as Rs 2.20 lakh per kg in 2021-22. Scientific drying methods have also improved saffron colour quality from 8% (traditional drying) to 16%.
Out of 3,665 hectares identified in Kashmir division, 2,598.75 hectares have already been brought under rejuvenation. District-wise coverage includes:
Pulwama: 2,055.75 ha
Budgam: 328 ha
Srinagar: 165 ha
Kishtwar: 50 ha
The remaining 1,116.25 hectares are proposed to be covered in a phased manner during the 2026-27 agricultural season.
Addressing concerns about irrigation infrastructure, the government revealed that under the Mission, 124 community borewells were planned. So far, 85 borewells have been handed over, while the remaining 39 have faced hurdles due to tendering issues, site obstructions, and resistance at certain locations.
A government-constituted committee found that 77 borewells were non-functional for long periods, though eight borewells in Srinagar and Budgam are currently operational. Efforts are underway to restore and make all borewells functional, with district-level monitoring committees supervising the process.
Farmers have also expressed reluctance due to recurring operational and maintenance costs of community borewells, officials noted.
The government maintained that the Rs 400.11 crore PM Saffron Mission has successfully halted the decline in saffron cultivation, improved productivity from 2.50 kg/ha in 2009-10 to over 4 kg/ha in rejuvenated areas, strengthened post-harvest processing, and enhanced transparency through e-auctions at IIKSTC—reducing the role of intermediaries.
While acknowledging that irrigation strengthening remains incomplete, the department said sustained efforts are underway to fully revive and expand saffron cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir.