Asia’s largest spice center launches saffron processing season in Pampore

MASROOR AHMAD

PAMPORE: The Indian International Saffron Trade Center, recognized as Asia’s largest spice hub, has launched this year’s saffron processing season in Dusoo Pampore. This cutting-edge facility offers essential services to saffron farmers, including stigma separation, drying, grading, packaging, Geographic Indication (GI) tagging, and e-auction services. These advanced services aim to enhance profitability for local farmers by optimizing the saffron processing chain and improving product quality.
The initiative is set to strengthen India’s saffron industry, positioning Pampore as a global leader in saffron production and supporting the livelihoods of thousands of saffron growers in the region.
Dr. Khurshid Ahmad, In-charge of the Indian International Saffron Trade Center, while talking to media said that this year’s saffron flower harvesting season is in full swing, with post-harvesting operations underway. “The center is fully equipped to assist farmers at every stage, ensuring a seamless journey from harvest to market,” he stated, highlighting the center’s commitment to maximizing farmer profitability and solidifying Pampore’s reputation on the world stage.
The Saffron harvesting season in Kashmir begins from mid- October to late November. Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world , and it comes from the stigmas of the purple flower of the plant. Saffron is also referred to as “Red Gold”. Pampore area is the famous for Saffron cultivation ,and out of total 5,707 hectares of land under saffron cultivation in Kashmir ,more than 90 percent is in Pampore tehsil of Pulwama district.
According to Saffron growers ,after years of losses, we were in depression and most of the farmers were changing their crops. Niyaz Ahmad a Saffron farmer from Dusoo area of Pampore ,said Saffron was cultivated on large scale in rural areas of district Pulwama in the past. However, due to different obstacles in Saffron cultivation ,growers shifted to other horticulture crops and today Saffron crop is limited to the Pampore and its adjacent areas.
Pampore meadows attracts tourists from everywhere to witness the yellow ,maroon and purple colour of blossoms that bloom beside giant Chinars and harvest time resembles a festival for villages in the area. The Saffron farmers of Dusoo area are still waiting for Saffron blossoms .
“Due to the constant dry weather this year , we do not expect that we will get more productions this year, may be it will be less,” he said.