Despite government-backed revival measures, saffron production in Jammu and Kashmir continues to face acute weather-related disruptions, with assembly data showing that adverse climate events have repeatedly reduced yields in recent years.
Official data tabled in the House indicates that productivity in saffron fields revived under the National Saffron Mission has generally improved, despite significant declines in production due to floods and prolonged drought over several years. The data identifies at least three recent seasons – 2014–15, 2017–18 and 2018–19 – when productivity fell well below expected levels due to extreme weather conditions.
According to the government response, saffron productivity had fallen to historically low levels before the revival program began – around 1.3 to 1.8 kg per hectare in the early 2000s. Following interventions through corm replacement, scientific intercalation and irrigation assistance, yields in regenerated areas increased substantially, exceeding 5 kg per hectare in several recent seasons and even approaching 7 kg per hectare in one year.
However, assembly data shows that these gains have not moved smoothly upward. Production from reclaimed fields fluctuated significantly over the past five years, ranging from around 11 MT to 18 MT before falling again. Officials attributed these changes primarily to weather variability rather than structural weaknesses in the program.
Agricultural experts say saffron is highly climate-sensitive, especially during the flowering period, when untimely rains, drought-like conditions or temperature anomalies can seriously affect stigma formation and flower yield. Even short-term weather shocks can rapidly reduce production per hectare.
The government says the revival mission has helped stabilize the overall area under saffron cultivation across Jammu and Kashmir, halting the long decline seen before the implementation of the scheme. According to official figures, more than 2,500 hectares of area has been covered under rejuvenation so far.
However, saffron cultivators say that both the area under cultivation and the total yield have been continuously declining in the last two decades.
“Last season, the production was barely 10-15 percent of the normal output,” said Abdul Majeed, a farmer from Pulwama district in south Kashmir.
Published on February 17, 2026
