Kashmir is the first place that springs to mind when we hear the word saffron.  Particularly in the valley, this crop is frequently used to flavor and color milk and several delicacies.
 
Saffron is referred to as the "legendary crop" among the produce grown by farmers in Jammu and Kashmir; one gram of it costs around Rs 350 at retail.  The red stigmas and styles that make up the threads are harvested.  It is also used as a spice in meat, cheese, and mayonnaise.
 
Due to its strong antioxidant content, saffron is also utilized in natural medicine and organic cosmetics.  Grown in 'karewa' soil that drains well, it is greatly influenced by temperature and sunlight in terms of flowering.  Additionally, at a height of almost 2,000 meters above mean sea level.
 
Medicinal worth
 
The spice is as well.  According to Ayurveda, it can help with fever, liver enlargement, arthritis, and infertility.  The Jammu-based institute works on medicine development and research.  CSIR IIIM plans to expand the crop on a commercial basis in many non-traditional regions of the Valley under the Mission Atmanirbhar India.
 
India is a leader in the production of saffron.
 
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource technology (CSIR-IHBT), situated in Palampur, has created the technology for producing saffron and brought it to non-traditional regions of uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.  According to reports, the himachal pradesh Agriculture Department will now begin pilot projects enabling farmers to cultivate saffron in Lahaul and Spiti as well, after successful trials in the Seraj Valley since 2019.

Which nation has the highest production?

Surprisingly, though, india does not produce the most of this most expensive spice in the world.  Iran is the country that produces the most of this spice.  Together, spain, Greece, india, and iran produce more than 85% of the world's saffron.  Approximately 300 tons of saffron are produced worldwide.  Despite having the second-largest agricultural area, india only contributes about 7% of global productivity.  Spain is the third-largest producer, with 600 hectares of land.  With their intense industrial technologies, Greece, spain, and iran have outperformed india in terms of productivity and output.  The average yearly production of saffron in india is just approximately 7 tonnes, despite reports that the country's annual consumption is around 100 tons.
 


 
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Saffron

SIBY JEYYA

12/03/2025 09:22 AM