More than a spice |
Saffron is the world’s most expensive spice. In the context of Kashmir, saffron is more than a spice. It represents Kashmir’s agricultural heritage, a cultural symbol and more than that a scientific opportunity. The temperate climate of Kashmir favours cultivation of saffron. Moreover, Kashmiri farmers have refined the cultivation practices over generations with remarkable skill which has earned Kashmiri saffron its GI tag. However, in the current scenario of climate change and changing agricultural landscape, heritage alone cannot guarantee the future of a crop. Therefore, instead of calling saffron its legendary crop, Kashmir needs to focus on how to save its future. More precisely, rather than merely enjoying the privilege of ownership, Kashmir should establish itself as a centre of saffron research and take a lead in shaping future of this crop. Instead of inheriting the title of heritage crop through history, it would be better to earn this title through scientific excellence.
Saffron cultivation and production face multiple challenges, among which the major ones include lack of quality planting material, diseases and pests and climate change. Saffron is propagated only vegetatively through corms. Saffron flower grows directly from the corm and hence corm health has a direct bearing on productivity, yield and quality of saffron. One of the fundamental constraints in saffron........