The long-awaited Saffron Park at Kishtwar remains a distant dream despite being announced over half a decade ago. This persistent delay highlights a lack of administrative will and political commitment, which continues to hamper the prospects of saffron growers in the region. Had the project been executed in a timely manner under the National Saffron Mission, it would have significantly improved saffron production, marketing, and quality assurance, providing much-needed support to farmers. Instead, bureaucratic inefficiencies and political interference over site selection have stalled progress, leaving the project in a perpetual state of limbo. The establishment of the Saffron Park was envisioned to include a quality testing lab, export-based activities, and an e-auction facility, which would have enhanced the branding and global reach of Kishtwar saffron. Now, the project is being considered under the Holistic Agriculture Development Program, but with no clear timeline for implementation, concerns remain about further bureaucratic delays.
The recent sharp decline in saffron production-falling from an average of 8-9 quintals per year to just 3 quintals in 2024-25-further underlines the urgency of this project. The Saffron Development Farm, which aims to enhance cultivation techniques and improve yield, is already in place. Quality Saffron is agricultural gold with maximum returns. However, without a fully functional Saffron Park, the processing and marketing aspects remain underdeveloped, limiting the farmers’ ability to get competitive prices in domestic and international markets. It is also concerning that the number of saffron growers in Kishtwar has not increased substantially, with less than 5000 people currently involved in its cultivation. The lack of adequate support infrastructure and financial incentives discourages potential growers from venturing into saffron farming. Kishtwar saffron, which has already secured a Geographical Indication tag, has the potential to compete with the best saffron varieties globally. However, this potential will remain untapped unless the Government takes immediate steps to fast-track the development of the Saffron Park. The Union Territory administration must prioritise this project, allocate necessary funds without delay, and ensure strict timelines for its completion.
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