Recently the Union Minister for Science and Technology has  highlighted the government’s ambitious plans to turn the Northeast into India’s next saffron hub.

• Under the Mission Saffron initiative, saffron cultivation has been expanded since 2021 to Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya.
• Foundation stone for a  new permanent campus of the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) was laid  in Shillong.
• Large-scale saffron cultivation is currently underway in Menchukha (Arunachal Pradesh) and Yuksom (Sikkim), with future expansion planned for Nagaland and Manipur.

About Saffron

• Scientific Name: Crocus sativus (Saffron Crocus).
• Commercial Part Used: Stigma (female part of the flower), also called Saffron filament, Saffron thread, or Saffron stigmata.
• Propagation: Saffron is grown from Corms (Bulbs), which regenerate vegetatively.
• Chemical Composition: Contains Crocin, Picrocrocin, and Safranal, which are key for both medicinal and aesthetic purposes.

Cultivation Timeline

• Planting Season: In India, saffron corms are planted during June and July, and in some places, during August and September.
• Flowering Season: Saffron flowers bloom in October.

Ideal Growing Conditions

• Altitude: Requires 2,000 meters above sea level.
• Soil Type: Grows best in loamy, sandy, or calcareous soils with a pH range of 6-8.
• Climate:
• • Summer temperatures should be below 40°C.
  • Winter temperatures can drop as low as -20°C.
  • Requires a dry to moderate climate with well-drained soil.

Saffron Production in India  India

• Around 90% of India’s saffron production comes from Kashmir, where it has been cultivated for centuries.
• Traditionally, saffron cultivation in India was restricted to Jammu & Kashmir.
• The Pampore region in Kashmir, known as the “Saffron Bowl of India,” is the primary contributor to saffron production.

Quality and Recognition

• Kashmiri saffron contains 8% crocin, while other varieties contain only 5-6%.
• In 2020, the Central Government granted a Geographical Indication (GI) certification to Kashmiri saffron.
• Pampore Saffron Heritage of Kashmir is recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
  • GIAHS sites are agroecosystems where communities preserve biodiversity, traditional knowledge, and sustainable farming practices.
  • The FAO has recognized 89 such sites worldwide under the GIAHS Programme.

Benefits of Saffron

• Medicinal Benefits: Helps lower blood pressure, treats anemia, migraines, and aids in insomnia relief.
• Cosmetic Benefits: Improves skin quality, reduces pigmentation, and minimizes spots.
• Culinary Uses: An essential ingredient in traditional dishes, beverages, confectionery, dairy products, and food coloring.

Global and Indian Distribution

• Native to Greece and Asia Minor, but cultivated in Italy, France, Spain, China, and India.
• In India, saffron production is limited, making imports necessary to meet demand.