Saffron: A legendary high value crop of jammu and kashmir state and a source of livelihood for many farm families

Saffron is a legendary crop of Jammu and Kashmir. Saffron is the most expensive and most valuable spice in the world. It is mostly known by its good quality. It is derived from the red stigma of the plant famously known as crocus Sativas. It has numerous colors which are known to the customers, the red one is the most famous among all, so it is rightly known as RED GOLD. The saffron cultivation can be put forth in any part of the world and its production is accessible to everyone. Saffron price mechanism is depending on the intensive labor during the harvest. The saffron plant is attractive in its appearance and is perennial and globular corms. And its height may be from fifteen to twenty centimeter the plant has its native origin to Europe and is also grown in Mediterranean countries like Spain, Austria, Iran, Turkey etc. The species has been also grown in Indian subcontinent especially in J &K and Himachal Pradesh. The saffron belongs to the family of iridaceous and commercial part of the saffron is known as stigma. The saffron has been known by many names in different states in India, in Kashmiri its known as (Kong). And in Urdu its known as Zaffron. There are many factors which influence the growth of saffron. Saffron cultivation is a traditional art in India. About 5707 hectares of land in under saffron cultivation. The annual production of saffron in India is around sixteen thousand kilograms. Jammu and Kashmir is the leading producer of saffron in India. Out of total 5707 hectares of land, 4496 hectares of land under its cultivation lies in Jammu and Kashmir. The famous worldwide for high-grade saffron is Pampore which is situated at a distance of fifteen kilometers from Srinagar in Kashmir.Crocus sativus L. is one of the most important plants. It is having various medicinal potential, and is widely being used in food industries. In Jammu and Kashmir State (recently an union territory), its cultivation is restricted to two districts only (Pulwama and Kishtwar). The extension agency must flash the light more on problems of saffron cultivation in recent days and considering a high value crop must promote its cultivation among farmers especially those areas where saffron cultivation is possible bypassing its existing limitations and it is possible then, the earning from saffron cultivation will be the real sense of livelihood of many farm families in India.