Pampore Kashmir Saffron Crocus Cultivation

Pampore town in Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir, is the heart of Kashmir saffron cultivation — one of the most prized and expensive spices in the world. Crocus sativus bulbs are planted in June on karewa plateau soils with natural lime-rich drainage. Purple crocus flowers bloom in October and November for just two to three weeks. Entire families mobilise at dawn to handpick flowers before they wilt. Each flower yields three crimson stigmas which are dried over charcoal braziers within hours of picking. Kashmir saffron received GI tag in 2020. Cooperative growers under National Saffron Mission receive bulb subsidy and training in post-harvest handling. Adulteration with turmeric and artificial colouring is a persistent market challenge that cooperatives combat through certified direct-to-consumer branding.