Present study aims at estimating the economics of saffron production and its marketing in traditional saffron growing area of south Kashmir (J&K state) by selecting 180 saffron growers revealed that the total cost of cultivation was calculated Rs. 2, 94, 935 per hectare and the net returns was calculated Rs. 24,75,000 in planting cycle of 5 years. For one hectare of land Rs. 21,80,065 was calculated for five year planting cycle andRs. 4,36,013 was calculated!hectare!year and the cost benefit ration (8: C) was estimated as 1: 13. The study further revealed that the most prevalent marketing channel was grower-commission agent-wholesaler-retailer-consumer. The retailers get higher relative share in consumer's rupee. The price spread calculated for channel 2 was higher (Rs. 600) at different stages of marketing for one tolla (10 grams) of saffron.
Saffron, economics, production, marketing, Kashmir
