Production and Potential of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in Kashmir, India

Saffron a perennial herb, well known for its aroma has a great medicinal potential cultivated in Kashmir valley as a cash crop. In Jammu and Kashmir it is cultivated an area of about three thousand hectares with a production of 4850 tonnes in the year 2006-07. Among the states of India, Jammu and Kashmir is the only state which is producing almost 99 percent of saffron. Saffron is being produced in Kashmir division in Jammu and Kashmir however; Pulwama district is the major cultivator and producer of it. Saffron in Indian is not being used domestically only but it is being exported too. Saffron as a cash crop generates good sort of employment and had a good scope of setting up of enterprise during its various stages. That means saffron cultivation has a wide network but it needs the proper and efficient utilization of such resources and appropriate enterprises to process saffron.