Farmers Demand Accountability As ₹400 Cr National Saffron Mission Fails

Once known for producing the world’s finest saffron, Pampore—the saffron town of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district has been continuously witnessing a sharp decline in saffron cultivation and yield, with growers raising alarm over the complete failure of the National Saffron Mission (NSM) on the ground.

- Agencies

Farmers and stakeholders alleged that despite a Rs 400 crore investment under the National Saffron Mission, the project has failed to rejuvenate saffron cultivation or provide the much-needed sprinkler irrigation facilities.

Ashiq Hussain, a saffron grower from Pampore, said the entire project has remained confined to paperwork.

“We've been hearing about the mission for over 15 years now, but nothing has changed on the ground. There’s a Spice Park in Dusoo and we have GI tagging, but what use is it when reproduction is on decline?” he asked.