After a slight dip during two previous years, Saffron production has rebounded in Jammu and Kashmir with its production touching 19.58 Metric Tonnes in 2024-25. This was stated by the state agriculture minister in a written reply in the Assembly to a question tabled by Hasnain Masoodi (NC).
Jammu and Kashmir’s famed saffron sector has shown a mixed but largely positive trend in recent years, with production witnessing a sharp rebound in 2023-24 and exports climbing significantly, even as the total area under cultivation remains stable at 3,715 hectares.
According to official figures placed in the Assembly, saffron production increased from 14.94 metric tonnes (MT) in 2022-23 to a remarkable 23.53 MT in 2023-24 — marking one of the highest outputs in recent years. However, production moderated to 19.58 MT in 2024-25.
The average productivity (traditional and rejuvenated areas combined) also rose substantially, reaching 6.33 kg per hectare in 2023-24, compared to 4.02 kg/ha in 2022-23. In 2024-25, productivity stood at 5.27 kg/ha, reflecting sustained improvement over earlier years.
The total area under saffron cultivation has remained constant at 3,715 hectares since 2010-11, after earlier declines were halted under the National Mission on Saffron. Of this, around 2,598 hectares fall under rejuvenated areas, while approximately 1,116 hectares continue under traditional cultivation.
The minister said the Centre-backed National Saffron Mission effectively arrested the shrinking of saffron fields, which had earlier reduced sharply due to declining productivity and climatic challenges.
Rejuvenated saffron fields have demonstrated higher productivity levels. In 2023-24, rejuvenated areas recorded productivity of 6.96 kg/ha, significantly boosting overall output. Even in 2024-25, productivity in rejuvenated areas remained strong at 5.6 kg/ha.
The export story has been equally encouraging. Saffron exports rose to 20.47 MT in 2023-24, compared to 13.45 MT in 2022-23 and 13.38 MT in 2021-22. Even in 2024-25, exports remained robust at 17.82 MT, signalling sustained global demand for Kashmir’s GI-tagged saffron.
In value terms, saffron exports touched Rs.491.31 crore in 2023-24 and remained high at Rs.486.43 crore in 2024-25. The total value of saffron production crossed Rs.564.72 crore in 2023-24 before settling at Rs.534.53 crore in 2024-25.
Officials attributed the gains to improved post-harvest processing at the Indian Institute of Kashmir Saffron and Technology Centre (IIKSTC), better stigma recovery, scientific drying methods, and transparent e-auction systems that enhanced price realization for farmers.
While the Mission initiated 124 community bore-wells to strengthen sprinkler irrigation, only 85 have been handed over so far. A government committee found that 77 bore-wells were non-functional for a long period, affecting irrigation coverage. About 2,548 hectares in the Kashmir division have been rejuvenated, leaving over 1,100 hectares yet to be fully addressed.
Despite these bottlenecks, the government maintains that saffron productivity has improved from 2.50 kg/ha in 2009-10 to significantly higher levels in recent years, indicating structural recovery in the sector.