Lok Sabha Question No. 506 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-06
Subject: Production of Saffron
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Hasnain Masoodi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-506

TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH  FEBRUARY, 2024

## PRODUCTION OF SAFFRON

## 506. SHRI HASNAIN MASOODI:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष और िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the production of saffron has declined by 75% since the inception of the  National  Saffron  Mission  and  if  so,  the  details  of  the  total  decline  in  saffron production in the last one year;
- (b) whether  the  well  sprinklers  sanctioned  under  the  National  Saffron  Mission have been non-functional since the inception of the initiative, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether it is true that industrial establishments near saffron fields have led to adverse effects on saffron flowers due to factors such as cement dust;
- (d) if so, the details of steps that have been taken by the Government to regulate and  monitor  industrial  activities  near  saffron  cultivation  areas  to  prevent  negative impacts on public health and ecology; and
- (e) whether the Government has constituted a high-level Committee to look into the declining condition of Saffron production and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष और िकसान कʞाण मंũी (SHRI ARJUN MUNDA)

- (a) As  per  the  estimates  provided  by  the  Office  of  Financial  Commissioner (Revenue),  UT  of  Jammu  &  Kashmir,  the  production  of  saffron  in  Jammu  and Kashmir has decreased from 8.0 MT in 2010-11 to 2.6 MT in 2023-24 (provisional), resulting  in  an  overall  decline  in  production  by  about  67.5%  over  the  period. However, during the last one year from 2022-23 to 2023-24, the saffron production has marginally increased by 4%.

(b) As per the information received from the Planning and Agriculture Production Department  of  UT  of  J&K,  out  of  the  128  deep  bore-wells  sanctioned  under  the Mission,  123  have  been  constructed  by  the  Horticulture  Department  and  handed over to the  Mechanical Engineering Department, Kashmir for their harnessing and further  linkage  with  the  Sprinkler  irrigation  Systems.  The  Mechanical  Engineering Department,  Kashmir  has  successfully  connected  73  deep  bore  wells  with  the Sprinkler Irrigation Systems having a command of 2187.08 hectares. However, the irrigation  facilities  are  not  being  utilized  fully  as  the  User  Groups  for  management and upkeep of these bore wells have not been created as per the Mission Guidelines and have not been handed over to the farmer user groups.

(c) & (d) As per the information received from the Planning, Agriculture Production Department of UT of J&K, there has been no report of adverse effect on saffron flowers due to factors such as cement dust from any industrial establishments.  The  Agriculture  Production  Department  along  with  the  revenue authorities,  UT  of  J&K  are  implementing  the  Saffron  Act,  Saffron  rules  and  other revenue  laws  which safeguards the  saffron  land  from  being  diverted  for  any  other purposes.

(e) No high-level committee has been constituted by the Govt. of India to look into the declining condition of Saffron production. However, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt. Of India has requested the UT Administration of J &K to conduct  a  detailed  review  of  all  the  activities  taken  up  under  the  National  Saffron Mission  in  J&K  to  ensure  the  effective  utilization  of  infrastructure  and  facilities created  under  the  National  Saffron  Mission  for  the  overall  development  of  Saffron sector in Jammu & Kashmir.

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