Timely Irrigation, Soil Moisture Retention Yield Promising Results; Farmer Urges Restoration of Defunct Borewells
In an encouraging development for saffron cultivation in Kashmir, farmer Mohammed Sultan Rather of Pampore area has demonstrated the potential of growing saffron in a high-density apple orchard, offering a promising example of innovative farming and the efficient utilisation of agricultural land.
Mohammad Sultan, who began experimenting with saffron cultivation in his high-density apple orchard in 2025, has reported encouraging results in the second year of the trial. Although the saffron flowers are yet to bloom fully, he has expressed satisfaction with the crop’s progress and remains optimistic about achieving better yields in the coming years.
Speaking to Morning Kashmir, Mohammad Sultan Rather attributed the encouraging results primarily to timely irrigation during August and September, along with moisture retention in the soil beneath the apple plants.
“The main reason behind this encouraging crop is that I irrigated the field two to three times during August and September. The high-density apple plants have also helped retain moisture in the soil, which has contributed to better saffron growth and production,” he said.
Recalling the quality of saffron produced in Pampore nearly two decades ago, Rather said the results of his experiment had reminded him of the region’s earlier saffron harvests, strengthening his belief that innovative cultivation methods could help revive the traditional crop.
Report Bilal Habib
