Srinagar: The saffron farmers in Kashmir say they are losing out in the international market due to tough competition from Iran. Modern farming, good packaging and moderate pricing give Iranian saffron an edge over Kashmiri saffron.The farmers lament that it's difficult for them to even recover the amount they put in also. "This year the price of flowers is Rs 200 to 250 per kg. It was 500 rupees four years back. The production has come down, it is also less in demand in the market and whatever we invest even that amount does not come back," said G M Pampori, a farmer. "They are having problems as the farmers are facing tough competition from Iran," he added. Iran's major markets are the world's industrialised countries such as the US and Japan.

      India's saffron is exported to countries like the UK, Spain, Brazil and a host of Asian countries. Farmers said modern techniques make Iranian saffron more competitive in the world market. "First of all the management is wrong. Crop management practices are not followed at all," said Mohammud Hussain Shah, Assistant Director, Agricultural Research University. At 5,000 rupees a pound, saffron is the world's most expensive spice.

Saffron farmers at work

The delicate flowers are harvested only in mid-autumn. The flowers begin to grow after the first rains and the blooming period is usually mid-October when the temperature is just right. Kashmir's cool climate and rich soil with excellent drainage and organic content make the location an ideal thriving ground for this spice but a lapse in any one of the conditions can spoil the entire crop. The area under saffron farming has gone up from 4.000 hectares in early 90s to 5,000 in 2002.

     Saffron derives its name from the Arabic word Zafran meaning "yellow". It is desired all over the world for its aroma, colour and aphrodisiac properties. What makes it so rare is that saffron filaments, or threads, are of the saffron flower, "Crocus Sativus Linneaus". Each flower contains only three tigmas, it takes 75,000 crocus flowers to get one kilogram of saffron.
June 12, 2005