Author(s):

Naqeeb Raja, Sheikh Muzaffar, Noor Ul Islam Wani and Uzma Rashid

Abstract: The study was carried out in district Pulwama of Kashmir Valley. Only two blocks namely, block Pampore and block Awantipora were purposively selected owing to the maximum area and production in these two blocks of the district. Out of the two blocks, 150 respondents from five villages were selected through stratified random sampling method. The study reveals that there has been no increase/decrease in area under saffron cultivation before and after the inception of Saffron mission. With the launch of National Saffron Mission in the valley, the farmers began to catch up with the modern technology which was evident from the fact that majority of the respondents were following the recommended packages and practices of SKUAST- K like soil treatment, application of manure and fertilizers, use of cultivation tools and post-harvest management practices. The production of dried saffron increased by 16-22 per cent after the inception of Saffron Mission while as the cost of production decreased by 12.60-16.30 per cent. The net returns of the respondents increased by two and a half times.

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