A remarkable achievement, he successfully grew saffron in his native village – Heewan Narvaw, in Baramulla – for the first time in history. Saffron cultivation was a distant realm, only guarded by generations of farmers in Pampore’s hallowed fields. It was unheard of in North Kashmir’s paddy, maize and apple landscape
By Sheikh Mustafa
Most would have dismissed it as a mere fantasy—a young farmer watching videos about a crop that had never grown in his homeland. But 26-year-old Mudasir Ahmad Bhat was not like most people.
A remarkable achievement, he successfully grew saffron in his native village – Heewan Narvaw, in Baramulla – for the first time in history. Saffron cultivation was a distant realm, only guarded by generations of farmers in Pampore’s hallowed fields. It was unheard of in North Kashmir’s paddy, maize and apple landscape.
Yet, here was Mudasir, a 26-year-old with determination and a flickering smartphone screen, preparing to challenge everything his community knew about farming. He was filled with a desire to apply path-breaking innovations to agricultural practices and traditions.
The revolution began to brew on his smartphone screen. As pixels flickered with images of saffron threads and delicate crocuses, the dream of defying generations of agricultural tradition was incubated in his mind.
The Journey Begins
Mudasir’s journey into saffron cultivation began with a spark of curiosity and a desire to experiment with different crops. After watching several videos on saffron farming, he reached out to a friend in Pampore, the traditional hub of saffron cultivation in South Kashmir, to procure saffron corms. His initial attempt, however, was met with disappointment due to inexperience and lack of proper guidance.
Mudasir says, “Initially, when I started saffron production in 2021, I was disappointed with the production of just 2 to 3 grams. However, I persisted, and in 2022, I produced 5 to 6 grams. Encouraged by this slight improvement, I continued my efforts in 2023 and produced around 8 grams. This gradual progress gave me hope and the courage to continue.”
In 2024, he successfully produced 20 to 25 grams of saffron in just 40 square feet.
“It was a daunting task, but I was determined to make it work. I believed that if we could grow saffron in Pampore, we could do it here too,” says Mudasir.
Family Background and Education
Mudasir hails from a humble farming family in the Heewan village. His father, Mohammad Akbar Bhat, toils tirelessly as a farmer, and his mother is a homemaker. Mudasir grew up witnessing the challenges of traditional agriculture and developing a deep-rooted connection to his agrarian heritage.
“Since childhood, I have been interested in producing and cultivating unique and exotic plants. My interest spans across many crops, including lemons, turmeric, kiwis, foreign grapes, and lavender. I have always been drawn to the idea of nurturing these plants from seed to harvest, witnessing their growth and development first-hand,” he adds.
That is why, after completing his Bachelors in Business Administration (BBA) from Government Degree College, Baramulla (GDC), instead of looking for a lucrative job, Mudasir decided to pursue the family’s traditional business.
A Seed of Curiosity
Saffron is known as ‘Kong’ in the local language. It is symbolic of the region’s cultural heritage and richness. It is a delicate spice obtained from the flower of crocus sativus, which is red and yellow, has an overpowering fragrance, and has vast importance in both culinary and medicine. Kashmir, specifically its Pampore region, has been known for its high quality saffron which is among the most expensive spices in the world.
Its cultivation is labour-intensive, requiring meticulous care and attention. Each flower yields only three stigmas, which are carefully handpicked and dried to produce saffron threads. The process is painstaking, but the result is a spice that is highly prized for its unique flavour and health benefits.
“The true challenge in saffron cultivation lies in producing the initial bulbs or corms,” says Mudasir. Once established, he believes saffron can be relatively easy to grow, even indoors.
Talking about the importance of fertile land, he says that preparing it can be a laborious task. He elaborates, “To achieve optimal soil conditions, he recommends a rigorous land preparation process that involves frequent digging, removal of weeds and roots, and inclusion of decomposed cedar needles. This multi-step process, repeated 5-6 times, ensures that the land is sufficiently fertile for saffron cultivation.”
Overcoming Challenges
Mudasir recalls facing significant criticism from his neighbours, including his maternal uncle, who doubted his ability to cultivate saffron in the region. Many claimed that previous attempts had failed and said that the local climate and soil were unsuitable for saffron. They were unaware of the specific techniques required for successful saffron cultivation, says Mudasir.
Despite the negativity, Mudasir remained determined, drawing inspiration from his own research and experimentation that guided his meticulous approach. He recognized that the lack of knowledge and understanding, rather than inherent limitations of the land, had hindered past efforts.
According to Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Mudasir’s brother, “Initially, I didn’t care about what my brother was doing, but when Mudasir first shared his dream of cultivating saffron in North Kashmir, it was truly inspiring and we are overjoyed to be part of this historic moment.”
Despite its skepticism, the family was supportive. Now, after his success, his father proudly proclaims, “I am very happy that Mudasir’s success has not only brought pride to our family, but also ignited hope for our community. We believe that saffron cultivation can help our local economy and provide a sustainable livelihood for generations to come. This is just the beginning, and we are excited to see what the future holds for North Kashmir. I will support him whenever he needs me.”
Community Impact and Future Plans
Mudasir’s achievement has had an amazing effect in his community. Encouraged by his success, several local farmers are now considering saffron cultivation as a viable alternative to conventional crops. Mudasir believes that with the right support and technical assistance, Narvaw could produce the saffron. He is committed to sharing his knowledge and experience with fellow farmers to help them explore the benefits of saffron cultivation.
“Mudasir’s breakthrough has shattered the myth that saffron cultivation is limited to specific regions. His success has shown us that with the right knowledge and effort, we can cultivate this precious crop in our own land,” says his friend, Bilal Ahmad Sheikh.
Inspired by Mudasir’s remarkable achievement, Mudasir Ahmad Nagar, a farmer says, “I am eager to embark on my own saffron cultivation journey in my village. We hope to learn from his journey and implement his techniques to successfully grow this valuable crop. By following his guidance and the knowledge he has shared, we aim to contribute to the local economy and preserve traditional agricultural practices,” says Nagar.
Mudasir’s vision extends beyond his current achievements. He harbours aspirations to expand his saffron cultivation to a significantly larger area. “I am aiming to cultivate 3,500 to 4,000 square feet of land, it will help me earn money and also inspire others to revive our cultural heritage and precious spice. This will not only boost the local economy, but also attract young farmers to take up this high-demand spice.”
Saffron Cultivation and Challenges
The cultivation of saffron in the Kashmir Valley dates back to 500 AD with the most pronounced results observed in the 1990s when the annual production averaged 15.5 tonnes from an area of 5,700 hectares. According to Food and Agriculture Organization, “Over 17,000 family farmers are stewards of this traditional crop in Kashmir, with almost 9,000 farm families from Pulwama, consisting of about 66 per cent of rural and 34 per cent peri-urban background. In general, the male population is observed to be more than female in all the saffron villages.”
However, saffron cultivation has been facing many challenges. Experts point to a complex web of factors behind its declining production, such as decreased yields, inadequate irrigation, the impact of climate change, unpredictable weather patterns, urbanization, changes in soil nutrients and microbiome, and other environmental factors, leading to a significant decline in its production.
Climate Change and Urbanisation
According to data of the Kashmir agriculture department, saffron production here has declined by around 65 per cent over the past two decades due to climate change, with production dropping from 15.95 tonnes in 1990 to just 2.6 tonnes in 2023-24, representing a significant loss in saffron yield.
Dr Rayees, a geographer, explains that the delicate saffron crocus requires specific conditions: a temperature range of 12°C to 15°C during the growing season. Climate change disrupts this balance, with rising temperatures delaying blooming and reducing saffron thread quality.
“Prolonged heat can stress the plant, reducing its capacity to produce high-quality saffron threads,” Dr Rayees notes. Showkat Nissar, a PhD scholar, adds, “Erratic weather patterns have made it increasingly difficult to predict and manage the saffron-growing season.”
Environmental pollution compounds the problem. Cement factories near saffron fields release harmful gases that damage delicate flowers. Urbanization has dramatically reduced cultivation areas, with saffron land decreasing from 5,707 hectares in 1996 to 3,715 hectares in 2016 – a loss of nearly 2,000 hectares.
“Urbanization has brought many changes, but it is not all good for us. We are losing our traditional way of life and our valuable agricultural land,” says Abrar, a geography student from Pulwama.
Weather Vagaries and Irrigation
According to a study, prolonged periods of drought amid the changing climatic patterns have caused significant concerns among saffron farmers. “Since the crop heavily relies on rainfall, insufficient precipitation has resulted in the region experiencing its lowest saffron productivity in the past three decades,” according to the study.”
Researchers like Showkat Nissar highlighted the need for a delicate water balance: “Saffron plants need a balanced amount of rain. Too much rain during flowering can cause diseases, while too little can affect flower development.”
A 60-year-old saffron-grower laments, “We still rely on traditional methods of cultivation and harvesting. Adulteration is a major threat to the reputation of Kashmiri saffron.”
A local farmer, Mohd Ashraf, shares his despair: “The fields are parched, the flowers are withering. It’s heartbreaking to see our livelihood slipping away. The decline of saffron is not just an economic loss, it is a cultural tragedy.”
To combat these challenges, farmers are exploring innovative techniques like aeroponics. Dr Rayees suggests that this method offers precise control over temperature, water and nutrient delivery, potentially safeguarding saffron production.
Ikhlaq Majeed, a PhD scholar of environmental science in Kashmir University, emphasized on the critical role of moisture in the various stages of saffron cultivation, particularly in the Karewa region, with its lower water table. He also warns that excessive water can lead to water-logging and fungal infections.
Hope despite Challenges
Despite these challenges, some recent efforts provide hope. The National Saffron Mission, launched in 2010-11 by the Indian government, aims to revive saffron cultivation in Kashmir. With an investment of Rs 4.1 billion, the mission seeks to address challenges facing saffron farmers, including environmental issues, outdated farming techniques, and economic instability.
The mission includes introducing modern irrigation techniques, developing better infrastructure, promoting Kashmiri saffron as a premium international product, and training farmers in climate-smart agricultural practices.
Researchers are also exploring sustainable solutions to preserve this cultural heritage, including organic fertilizers, crop-rotation, and innovative techniques like aeroponics. Local experts like Dr Rayees and researchers like Showkat Nissar emphasize the critical need to support farmers and adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Farmers like Bilal remain cautiously optimistic, recognizing saffron farming as a livelihood and cultural tradition. Despite the slow implementation of support schemes, there is hope that with comprehensive government support, technological innovation and sustainable practices, Kashmir can safeguard its golden saffron legacy for future generations.
Meanwhile, despite serious and persistent challenges, the Pulwama farmers continue to plough their fields with unwavering determination. Amid these arduous circumstances, Mudasir’s venture to extend the saffron fields from Pampore to Baramulla offers an optimistic road map for the future.
Courtesy Kashmir Times. Photos by Bilal Bhadur.