The Hindu : National : Imports hit saffron growers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 07, 2004

National

National

Imports hit saffron growers

By Luv Puri

KISHTWAR (DODA), NOV. 6. Saffron farmers in this remote area of Jammu and Kashmir have been severely affected by cheap imports, thanks to the liberalised import policy of the Centre since 1990s.

Saffron is being grown in this temperate zone for centuries and it even finds mention in the Tuzk-I-Jahangiri, a book written by the Mughal emperor, Jahangir. The saffron grown here is used in preparation of non-vegetarian delicacies and was once the major attraction of restaurants serving Mughlai dishes all over the world. It is also used by the tobacco industry and its sale was a major source of income for many poor households.

But the situation has changed for the worse with the saffron growers here losing the hold over domestic and international market.

For years the `mandies' of neighbouring States such as Punjab have been flooded with saffron produced here. Though a lion's share of the profits have been taken by wholesalers, farmers living here, mostly belonging to the below poverty line category, have earned sufficient to meet their daily needs.

According to estimates, saffron produced here is priced at Rs. 34,000 per kg. But the Iranian saffron is being sold for Rs. 18,000 only. Abdul Aziz, a farmer, says, ``The merchants have stated that this year demand for our kesar (saffron) has further shrunk. We are told there are no buyers.''

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