The saffron bowl, which was so far confined to Kashmir, may soon expand to the Northeast India in Sikkim. Plants from seeds transported from Kashmir are now flowering at Yangyang in Southern Sikkim, the Science and Technology Ministry said.
The ministry said in a release that saffron production has long been restricted to a limited geographical area in Pampore region of Jammu and Kashmir, commonly known as Saffron Bowl of Kashmir,. Pampore is the main contributor to saffron production, in India followed by Budgam, Srinagar, and Kishtiwar districts. Its medicinal values were considered as part of the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir. Although the National Mission on Saffron focused on several measures to improve its farming, the measures were limited to the specified areas of Kashmir.
The Northeast Centre For Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), an autonomous body under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, supported a pilot project to explore the feasibility of growing saffron in Northeast region of India, with the same quality and higher quantity.
The Botany and Horticulture department of Sikkim Central University carried out tests to understand the soil and actual pH conditions of Yangyang of Sikkim and found it comparable to saffron growing places of Kashmir. Saffron seed/corms were purchased and air transported from Kashmir to Yangyang site by the department. One saffron grower was engaged and stationed to look after the complete growing process, along with the faculty of the university.
The corms were irrigated during the month of September and October, which ensured timely corm sprouting and good flower yields. The matching of climatic and geographical conditions between Pampore (Kashmir) and Yangyang (Sikkim) led to the successful sample farming of Saffron in Yangyang.
The project also focused on post-harvest management and value addition of saffron so that quality saffron drying and efficient post-harvest processing can improve saffron recovery, thereby improving its production. Further, detailed analysis and testing of all parameters, including soil testing, quality, quantity, and possible value addition are planned, for immediate results and extrapolation of the project to other parts of the Northeast Region along with Micro Food Enterprises, the ministry added.
