Cash crop under threat
Known for its high quality, the Kashmir Saffron is facing a serious threat from a creature that was unknown to the region few years back.
The Indian crested porcupine which has been growing in numbers in the Karewas of south Kashmir has been attacking the Saffron lands and with sharp claws and strong teeth, it has dealt a severe blow to the crop as the corms that are sown to reap the Saffron are being consumed by the animal.
Saffron, drawn from the flower Crocus Sativus, is among the most demanding crops in the world. It asks for patience, precise conditions, and unwavering care. In Kashmir, it has long been more than a source of income. It is a symbol of continuity, of families bound to the same land across generations. Its threads carry the story of a place as much as they do their rich color and fragrance.
In recent years, porcupine attacks have grown more frequent, turning what was once an occasional nuisance into a persistent threat. Farmers speak of nights when entire patches are ruined, when weeks of effort disappear without a trace. The struggle is made harder by the fact that the animal cannot be harmed. Protected by law, it moves freely, adapting quickly to every attempt to keep it away.
Ironically, the reasons for its growing presence lie beyond the fields. Forest areas have shrunk, food sources in the wild have become uncertain, and changing weather patterns have altered the balance that once kept wildlife and farmland apart. Pushed out of their natural habitat, these animals have found their way into cultivated land, where food is easier to reach and often more nourishing.
This intrusion is simply a classic case of habitat disturbance but in the long run it is hurting the crop that is already under stress and offers a low output.
Last year as well the crop witnessed a reduced output as due to the intense heat the saffron corms didn’t respond well. Though the region reported a timely rainfall, but the seed didn’t bloom the way it should have and the crop output stood at around 15 percent only.
Saffron production in Kashmir has been witnessing a decline. In 2023, Kashmir produced 14.94 metric tonnes of saffron, with a value of Rs 291.33 crore. The production has fluctuated over the years, with 17.33 metric tonnes produced in 2021 and 14.87 metric tonnes in 2022.
Though various reasons are attributed to the downfall in production, climate change has been one of the key contributors to low production. Erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and changing weather patterns have affected saffron production as a 79% rainfall deficit in 2024 severely impacted the crop and the corms that produce saffron.
The Karewas of Pulwama district spread in vast patches across Pampore lack proper irrigation facilities, including borewells and sprinkler systems which hamper production.
Besides, rapid urbanisation and land encroachment has been threatening the industry for long. Now with another threat from wild animals, the crop needs serious efforts to be preserved.
