Nature has gifted Kashmir with some rare crops and Saffron is one among those topping the list.
The world-renowned spice, known for exceptional health and medicinal benefits, recently got unique recognition and protection for its geographical and human factors. The GI certification is a moment of satisfaction for people of the Valley, particularly saffron growers. This will help them to access markets, national and global, for its sale. It is tipped to be a first major step to put the Kashmiri saffron on the world map with authentication that would acquire more prominence and ensure better remunerative prices for the growers.
The Kashmir Saffron has gained its name over the ages due to its unique qualities such as high Aroma, Deep Colour, Long and Thick Threads (Stigmas). Its uniqueness is directly attributable to the geographical and climatic conditions of growing areas. It is the only saffron in the world produced, grown and cultivated at an altitude of 1,600m to 1,800m AMSL (above mean sea level), which adds to its uniqueness and differentiates it from other saffron varieties available the world over. It grows because of the altitudinal effect whereas in other places saffron is grown because of longitudinal effect.
One more unique attribute to the saffron in Kashmir is that it is grown in temperate climatic conditions while it is grown in other places in arid or semi-arid climatic conditions.
Its longer and thicker stigmas, natural deep-red colour, high aroma, bitter flavour, chemical-free processing, and high quantity of crocin (colouring strength), safranal (flavour) and picrocrocin (bitterness) makes it unique.
The Kashmir Saffron also has the distinction of being the purely chemical-free, organic and safest as well as the preferred choice of the consumers.
The certification will also help in curtailing the unapologetic and insensitive practice of adulteration. Confronted with a host of problems, mainly stiff competition from other countries in the international market, the GI registration would increasingly take care of the problem for the saffron growers.
While certification is welcome, the government needs to take steps that will ensure better production. One of the areas to look at would be to ensure sufficient irrigation of the saffron fields which as per experts cut the chances of disease to the crop and also improve the seed quality. The spice also faces peril due to environmental pollution. It is a very sensitive crop and even a slight increase in atmospheric pollution has a negative impact on its production. Dust and other pollutants coming from the cement plants impact the chemistry of the soil and its fertility. Measures should be taken which take care of all threats so that saffron flourishes.
