Shakir Ahmad Bhat, an employee of Advance Research Station For Saffron & Seed Spices, plucks crocus flowers, the stigma of which produces saffron, in Dussu, south of Srinagar, Kashmir. As climate change impacts the production of prized saffron in Indian-controlled Kashmir, scientists are shifting to a largely new technique for growing one of the world’s most expensive spices in the Himalayan region: indoor cultivation. Results in laboratory settings have been promising, experts say, and the method has been shared with over a dozen traditional growers.
Kashmiri saffron farmer Abdul Majeed Wani checks the quality of saffron flowers cultivated inside his home in Shaar-i-Shalli village, south of Srinagar, Kashmir. For the last three years, Wani has opted for indoor cultivation. He said his experience has been satisfying and the technique "has benefited us in a good way."
Fully blossomed saffron crocus plants are placed on shelves inside the house of Kashmiri saffron farmer Abdul Majeed Wani, in Shaar-i-Shalli village, south of Srinagar, Kashmir. For the last three years, Wani has opted for indoor cultivation. He said his experience has been satisfying and the technique “has benefited us in a good way.” As climate change impacts the production of prized saffron in Kashmir, scientists are shifting to a largely new technique for growing one of the world’s most expensive spices in the Himalayan region: indoor cultivation.
Dr Bashir Ahmad Elahi, left, head of Advance Research Station For Saffron & Seed Spices (ARSSSS) along with Dr Mudasir Hafiz Khan, center, check the quality of saffron inside the ARSSSS in Dussu, south of Srinagar, Kashmir.
Kashmiri saffron farmers and officials are seen through the racks of fully blossomed saffrons during a meeting inside the Advance Research Station For Saffron & Seed Spices in Dussu, south of Srinagar, Kashmir.
Kashmiri saffron farmer Abdul Majeed Wani, shows a saffron crocus plant cultivated inside his home which five flowers against the usual number of three in Srinagar, Kashmir.
A Kashmiri farmer weighs the saffron before packing inside plastic boxes for sale inside his home in Shaar-i-Shalli village, south of Srinagar, Kashmir.
A variety of saffron crocus plant are seen planted for research inside the compound of Advance Research Station For Saffron & Seed Spices in Dussu, south of Srinagar, Kashmir.
Kashmiri saffron farmers sit and relax after a meeting with officials inside the compound of Advance Research Station For Saffron & Seed Spices in Dussu south of Srinagar, Kashmir.
Mohammad Shafi, a Kashmiri saffron farmer along with his wife plucks crocus flowers, the stigma of which produces saffron, from a traditional outdoor farm in Pampore, south of Srinagar, Kashmir.
