Summary: Kashmiri saffron growers report devastating yield declines this season: one farmer harvested just 250g from 15 kanals versus an expected 1.5kg. Degrading karewa soils, a three-month dry spell, rising temperatures and urbanisation are blamed. The growers' association produced roughly 10% of last year's output, prompting shifts toward apples, regenerative farming and precision technologies while officials consider renewable-powered borewells and anti-smuggling measures.
Kashmir Saffron Crisis: Yields Collapse, Farmers Warn Cultivation May Be Unsustainable Within Five Years
Kashmir's famed saffron crop is facing a severe crisis as growers report catastrophic losses this season. Farmers, who once relied on saffron as a lucrative and reliable livelihood, say yields have fallen to historic lows and that cultivation may become unsustainable within five years unless urgent action is taken.
Mohammad Asif Azad, a grower in the region, described the shortfall in stark terms: over 15 kanals (about 1.9 acres) his fields produced only about 250 grams of saffron this season — roughly half a pound — compared with an expected yield near 1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds).
The decline is being driven by multiple, interacting pressures. The karewa plateaus — a sand-and-clay soil mix long prized for saffron production — are degrading and shrinking because of rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and expanding urbanisation. Farmers also reported an unusually long three-month dry spell that badly affected corm development and flowering.
Abdul Majeed Wani, leader of a local saffron growers group, said: 'Saffron growers were never interested in government jobs, as our earnings were sufficient to sustain us. But now, our young generation is looking for jobs as this farming is not sustainable after the next five years.' The growers' association said current production was roughly 10% of last year's output.
The local shortfalls have wider implications. Reduced supply will likely push saffron prices higher on global markets, while the speed of the decline underscores how rapidly local temperatures and soil health are changing. Other valley crops are also under stress: cherry farmers have reported losses from hailstorms and extreme weather events.
Risks and Responses
Under pressure to restore yields, some farmers may turn to chemically intensive fertilizers and other quick fixes that can damage long-term soil health. Others could increase irrigation, placing further strain on groundwater and existing water infrastructure and exacerbating regional water scarcity.
Local growers have begun coordinating with officials on measures to stabilise the sector. Proposals include powering essential borewells with renewable energy to reduce fuel costs and taking stronger action against theft and smuggling of saffron corms — the plant's underground storage organs — which undermines farmers' livelihoods.
At the same time, many growers are adopting adaptive strategies. These include regenerative practices such as no-till and organic methods, crop diversification toward hardier orchards like apples, and pilot projects using precision agriculture (sensors, smart irrigation and robotics) to detect and address problems earlier.
The crisis in Kashmir highlights the intersection of climate change, soil degradation and economic vulnerability. Farmers and officials say coordinated action — combining traditional land stewardship, improved water and energy solutions, and targeted technology — will be needed to protect both livelihoods and a crop that commands high value on world markets.
