Saffron farmers object to installation of irrigation system

Our Correspondent

Pulwama, August 7

Saffron farmers in Pampore town have objected to the installation of water pipes, required for sprinkle irrigation in their fields under the National Saffron Mission, saying that nothing has changed since the project was implemented.

Farmers claimed that there was no increase in the production since the project was implemented. Instead, they said, the production had decreased.

“It seems that everything has been done without any planning and research. Everything was being carried out haphazardly,” claimed Nazir Ahmad, a saffron farmer from Pampore.

“We will not allow installation of water pipes as we need land for construction,” another saffron from Pampore Mehraj-ud-din said, adding that nobody has questioned the construction of residential colonies on saffron land at Konibal village, 3 km from Pampore town.

Sources said there had been an increase in saffron production, but the farmers, who were objecting to the installation of water pipes, were backed by property dealers as they wanted to construct a residential colony on the land.

“The land falls within the Pampore town limits and the farmers and property dealers want to build a residential colony near the bore well 7, 17 and 97,” sources said, adding that the land rates have gone up, as a result of which farmers are objecting to the installation of water pipes.

Chief Horticulture Officer, Pulwama, Ghulam Mohammad Dhobi said the proposal of the National Saffron Mission was drafted at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Training (SKUAST), Kashmir, and was okayed by the Central government six years ago.

“Under the project, Rs 400 crore was allocated for rejuvenation of saffron, which was done successfully in recent years,” he said, adding that the borewells and sprinkle irrigation were to be provided under the mission. He said 109 borewells were to be dug for irrigation purpose.

While rubbishing the claims of farmers that no research was carried prior to digging of borewells and sprinkle irrigation, the Chief Horticulture Officer said: “This technology was imported from Spain. Nothing in the National Saffron Mission has been unplanned. Everything has been done after proper research, be it rejuvenation or provision of irrigation.”

He said many teams from SKUAST had visited Spain and Iran to learn about their way of saffron farming.

He further said that being near to Pampore town, farmers, backed by the land mafia, had been impeding the installation of water pipes which otherwise would benefit them.

“Saffron is our pride and we will make all efforts so that it does not become rare or extinct,” the official said, adding that it is one of the identities of Kashmir outside.

With the National Saffron Mission in its final year, the Department of Agriculture has completed 94 borewells of the 109 while the rest are pending because some farmers have raised an objection and are not allowing the department to install the water pipes leading to sprinklers.

Supervising scientist, National Saffron Mission, Firdous Nehvi said he had accompanied farmers during the rejuvenation process. He reiterated the importance of irrigation, which although done seasonally, was must for saffron.