Iran & India (J&K State) are primer saffron producing countries of the world. In recent years area, production and productivity figures of two countries warrants up gradation of saffron cultivation in Kashmir through horizontal expansion. Iran is showing continuous area expansion with mean annual growth rate of 11.5% as compared to 9.01% decline in Kashmir. Shorter age of saffron fields, high planting density, proper nutrient management system with adequate facilities of irrigation, non incidence of corm rot and proper weed and insect management are the key factors of high saffron production in Iran which are lacking in Kashmir. Replacement of traditional post harvest technology and marketing systems by new intervention have made possible for Iran to export saffron to the tune of 121.61 tons as compared to 1.30 tons exported from India where farmers are dependent on middlemen, traditional sun drying and family labour. Saffron production in Iran provides up to 65,000 jobs opportunities per year and therefore is considered as an important factor against migration from rural areas, which has been problem in saffron growing areas of Kashmir.
History, Cultivation practices, Post Harvest Practices, Marketing Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) India, Iran
