PAMPORE, November 01: In a major step towards modernizing saffron cultivation, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, in collaboration with SKUAST-Kashmir’s Advanced Research Centre for Saffron and Seed Spices, today conducted a live field demonstration of innovative robotic machines in Pampore — the heartland of Kashmir’s world-famous saffron.
The event witnessed the participation of leading scientists and experts from both MeitY and SKUAST-Kashmir, led by Sunita Verma, Chief Scientist and Group Coordinator (R&D–E/IT/CCBT), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, officials told Morning Kashmir.
The initiative aims to introduce state-of-the-art automation in saffron cultivation, improving efficiency, reducing manual labor, and empowering farmers with advanced tools to enhance productivity and profitability.
During the demonstration, experts showcased a range of innovative robotic systems, including a Saffron Harvester, a Weed Management System, and an Automated Saffron Stigma Separation Unit—all designed to revolutionize the saffron industry through precision and technology.
Officials described the initiative as a transformative leap toward sustainable and technology-driven saffron farming, reaffirming MeitY’s commitment to integrating digital innovation with India’s traditional agricultural strengths.
Speaking to Morning Kashmir, Prof. Syed Zameer Hussain, Scientist at SKUAST-Kashmir, said that saffron has been cultivated in this region for a long time, but the level of mechanization in its production is still very limited. In this context, we are addressing two or three major issues.
The first issue is weed management in saffron fields, which is currently done manually and is very hectic for the growers. To solve this, we are developing a robotic system for weed management that will make the process fully automated.
The second important aspect is flower harvesting, which is also a challenging and time-consuming task for farmers. To produce just one kilogram of saffron, around two lakh flowers are required, which takes a lot of effort. To address this, we are developing a robot that can automate the flowering and harvesting process.
After harvesting, it is crucial to separate the stigma from the flowers. This step is extremely time-consuming but also vital because if the process is delayed even by 24 hours, the saffron quality and yield drop significantly. The faster we can separate the stigma, the better it is for our farmers and the economy. For this purpose, we are creating an Agri-bot that can separate the stigma during the harvesting process.
Another major challenge we are addressing is corm multiplication. Currently, we are successfully cultivating saffron under soilless conditions in Kashmir. However, one of the biggest challenges remains how to multiply saffron corms outside Jammu and Kashmir. This project aims to develop methods for corm multiplication across India, not just within Kashmir.
Overall, all these aspects are being covered under this programme. I am thankful to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for providing the necessary funding. Our entire team is working aggressively on these innovations, and we hope to find effective solutions that will benefit saffron growers and improve productivity.
