Thursday, October 18, 2012

IS SAFFRON CROP DWINDLING IN KASHMIR ?


                                                                         
                                                                              


SAFFRON  or KONG ( Kashmiri )  or KESAR  , the most expensive crop, comes  mostly  from Pampore Uplands ( Wudar ) in kashmir valley  . Yes  from Pampore, a town  otherwise  also known world over  as the birth place of kashmir’s greatest saint  poetess Laleshwari or Lal Ded.  In fact more than  ninety percent saffron grown in the Kashmir comes from this area. But  with traditional   farming methods  , poor irrigation facilities and lack of post harvest management  , the yield per Hectare has come down from  3.13 Kgs to 2.50 Kgs. The area under cultivation has also shrunk from 5700 Hectares to 3800 Hectares  . Is the centuries old Kashmir Saffron under threat ?


 Not so at the moment but surely if we do not read the writing on the wall the area under cultivation and production per hectare may further dwindle . We need to   strive  for creation of Irrigation facilities through tube wells and sprinklers which would  ultimately increase the production. Immediate restriction needs   to be put on construction activities in and around cultivable area also .  

                                                                             


Stigmas of the saffron  flower are plucked and dried to produce saffron.  Plantation is done through bulbs .The flowering season of this crop is early November in Kashmir. It is a real visual  treat  to see these blooming plants in moonlit night in  early or mid November  .  A saffron flower has three long dark red  thread with yellowish tails . The red portion is the pure saffron called  Mongra ( also known as nevel in kashmiri ) while  saffron with  yellowish tail portion also    is also sold as lachha saffron. So next time should you buy saffron , ask for Mongra which is pure and first grade in aromatic value  . Other varieties / grades of saffron from Kashmir are known as   Zarda and Patti . So is fake saffron being sold to ignorant buyers . 
      Saffron is also cultivated in Iran , Greece , Spain and china and many central Asian countries . In India it is mostly used as a colouring agent ,  for  religious functions , as a medicine and in cuisines. I end this post with some lines from A poem of Dina Nath Naadim….



Yivaan yeli Sounth Teli Iayee Poashee Faaeithh Hyaethh
Harud Yithh Koang wudur Pyaeth Zoon Raathhaa
Subahuss Sangar Phoalaan Doadh Koall Wuzaan Zun
Taa Shaamuss Yaavnus Voshlaan Chhe Hunn Hunn
Vanduss Sheenuss andher Pashmeena Butraathh
Taa Reitkaaluss Andher Reesham chhu Vahrithh..
( Dina Nath Naadim )

The spring arrives in this land ,
Bringing Bountiful flowers .
And the Autumn season of this land;
Like a moonlit night on a Plateau
Amidst saffron blooms.
Behold ! The mountain peaks shining in morning sun
And the milky white streams playfully coming down there from.
And the Evening time is just
The plentiful blush of its youth.
In winters ,
the snow spreading its Pashmina cloth all over .
And the summer putting a cover of silk apparel
over this land…

(Photo  and Text  and translation of  Naadim   sahib’s poetry  by  Autar Mota )  
 New  Delhi ( In Travel ) on 18th October 2012 …Time 10.00 PM ..... Good Night )                                                                    
                                                                                          

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