National Saffron Mission

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : Mar 9, 2022, 9:30

In Jammu and Kashmir, the Saffron grown is of the highest quality. Saffron offers people a delicious aroma and flavour. Kashmiri saffron possesses a colour that is unique from all the Saffron produced worldwide.

However, the Saffron is grown in Jammu Kashmir only reaches the market via many intermediaries who exploit the farmers. Thus, there was a need to keep the uniqueness of Kashmiri Saffron alive.

With this, the National Saffron Mission came into being in 2010-11.

This article will tell you about the National Saffron mission and its purpose.

Why was the National Saffron Mission Implemented?

The major aim was to boost Saffron cultivation in Jammu Kashmir. The government of India relaunched this mission in 2020. And also expanded Saffron cultivation to Northeast India. India needed this mission to promote better quality pricing amongst farmers.

NSM protected the farmers from further exploitation and negated the intermediaries' role. By doing so, farmers receive better profits in the international and domestic markets.

In this mission to improve the demand for Saffron grown in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, the brand of Kashmir Saffron had grown. The Government lent their help so that all the marketing aid could be offered to the farmer and the Kashmiri Saffron be known in the world for its supreme quality.

National Saffron Mission Purpose

Crocus Sativus is a plant that produces Saffron. And this plant species is native in the regions of Jammu and Kashmir. It is one of the most expensive spices known. There had been a decline in the area cultivation of Saffron due to the low benefit-cost ratio. Why? The product's high price, cultivation costs, and moisture stress led to the decline. Factors like traditional methods weather changes contributed to moisture stress.

National Saffron Mission or NSM Highlights

  • The National Mission Saffron's main goal was to make overall development in the productivity of Saffron.
  • This mission aimed to enhance the quality of Saffron and improve the quantity as well.
  • The purpose of this mission was to expand the research and extension capabilities.
  • The primary objective was to develop organized marketing quality-based pricing for Saffron.
  • This mission also eliminated the role of intermediaries who endlessly exploited the growers.
  • National Saffron Mission is under the Ministry of Science and Technology governance.
  • NSM had initially been a four-year mission introduced to increase the cultivation of Saffron in Kashmir. However, because of heavy loss in production in 2014, the mission had been extended by the Government of India.
  • This mission aimed to increase the quality of socio-economic status of people in Kashmir.
  • In 2020, the revised purpose of the mission included Saffron cultivation in the northeast states of India.
  • North East Centre For Technology Application and Reach had been given control of the pilot project for saffron cultivation in northeast India.
  • According to this mission, saffron flowers would be transported from Kashmir to Sikkim, and then cultivation plantation would happen.

This mission is a form of marketing the Kashmiri Saffron, which then was extended to the northeastern states. This high-quality Saffron is an essential export commodity. Therefore, it is crucial to consider bringing the economy back into motion. The National Mission of Saffron led to an increase in the productivity of Saffron as this had been needed due to the low benefit ratio earlier.

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FAQs on National Saffron Mission

Q.1) The National Mission Of Saffron is a part of which scheme in India?

The National Mission of Saffron is a part of the scheme Krishi Vikas Yojana.

Q.2) Which state is known for Saffron production in India?

Jammu and Kashmir are known for saffron production in India. It is the only state where it is being produced.

Q.3) What is the plant through which Saffron is produced?

The plant species through which Saffron is produced is called Crocus Sativa.

Q.4) How long was the NSM would be initially?

The mission was supposed to be 4 years, but it had gotten extended in 2014 due to a decline in production.