Pampore Highlands (Kashmir Valley), nov seven As saffron flowers bloom and farmers begin gathering the royal spice, the fields during this south Kashmir|geographic area|geographical region|geographic region} city are a riot of color and fragrance recently.

Grown within the well-drained wealthy soil of the Pampore Highlands and a few alternative places within the valley, saffron is one in all the most expensive spices within the world at around Rs.1,500 ($24) per ten grams.

The best quality saffron comes from spain and Iran – as additionally kashmir. Used as a seasoner and colouring agent in foods, saffron is additionally utilized in spiritual functions. additionally, it’s utilized in perfumes, dyes and medicines. Saffron is additionally believed to own aphrodisiac properties.

Saffron could be a royal spice not as a result of|simply because} of its high worth however additionally because native traditional knowledge associates its blooming with romance.

The last king of kashmir, Yusuf Shah, is believed to own visited the saffron fields on a moonlit  night to check the magic of the purple flowers in sixteenth century once he was transfixed by a lone feminine voice singing within the geographic region of the immense saffron fields.

The king’s heart was obsessed with the voice and he sent his courtiers to search out out who the singer was. It clothed  to be a village lady named Zoon. Yusuf monarch then married Zoon once she unmarried  her previous husband.

She was christened Habba Khatoun – the queen. Like Noor Jahan was to Mughal emperor Jahangir, Habba Khatoun is believed to own been the foremost powerful influence in her husband’s life.

“Watching the saffron bloom throughout moonlit  nights in early November are a few things nature lovers ne’er miss. But, for us, the story isn’t as lucky as that of either Habba Khatoun or her husband,” aforesaid saffron farmer Ghulam Muhammad (59).

“The crop yield has been decreasing annually despite the National Saffron Mission proclaimed by the govt.. adulterate saffron from alternative places and therefore the monopoly of the middlemen have created our lives miserable,” Muhammad rued.

The central government proclaimed the National Saffron Mission in 2010, earmarking Rs. 373 large integer to be spent on the event and improvement of the crop until 2014.

“At the start of the mission, Rs.9.50 large integer were distributed among saffron growers. Another Rs.8.90 crore has been earmarked for putting in a testing research laboratory for internal control,” aforesaid a commissioned military officer of the regime.

Abdul Majid Wani, general secretary of the native saffron growers association, told IANS that eight tonnes of saffron was made within the depression last year.

He was hopeful that the yields would increase manifold if the whole seventy two,000 kanals of land beneath saffron cultivation within the depression area unit brought beneath the National Saffron Mission. (Eight kanals form up an acre.)

“So far, just 6,500 kanals are brought beneath the Mission. Crop yields have positively improved in these fields,” he said.
“But, there area unit some unseen players who area unit operating against the interests of the growers. Last month ten grams of saffron was priced at Rs.1,500. nowadays the worth has fallen to Rs.1,020 per 10 grams.

“Further, the most drawback with saffron fields is availableness of irrigation. 72 bore wells are known beneath the mission, however thus far only 1 is purposeful. i’m positive once all the desired bore wells become purposeful and therefore the entire tillable space is brought beneath the Mission, our production would surpass that of Iran,” Wani noted.

The state government’s Director (Agriculture) Mushtaq Peerzada aforesaid fifty borewells are activated throughout 2013-14.

“The board of agriculture is obligated to facilitate and support the saffron growers by addressing their issues. several steps are taken to learn our farmers,” he added.

Despite the issues long-faced by the saffron growers, the magic and mystery of the royal spice are a few things that has become synonymous  with the sweetness and grandeur of Kashmir.

The fragrance and color of the immense saffron fields have over the years dismissed the imagination of kings, poets and lovers alike. it’s a heritage crop Kashmiris have continuously prided themselves concerning.