Saffron cultivation in India is mainly done in the states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Harvesting is the most difficult part in Saffron farming. Saffron plant needs extreme heat and dryness in summer and extreme cold during winter. Discover how to grow Saffron.
Kesar or zafran- the costliest spice in the whole world is an interesting plant since it can grow almost anywhere. Being the most expensive spice in the world it is nicknamed as ‘Red Gold’. Saffron in India mainly cultivated in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. However, it can grow in almost anywhere in the world. It is a costly spice owing to the fact that it is extremely difficult to harvest the crop.
Information on Saffron Plant
Saffron is believed to have originated from Greece with wild saffron as being the parent variety. Wild saffron is botanically called Crocus cartwrightianus and its domesticated variety is the commercial saffron. The commercially cultivated saffron is botanically named Crocus sativus. It can grow upto 20 cm in height and is a bulbous perennial plant with globular corms. It is the corm that is planted for saffron cultivation. The saffron or kesar flowers vary in color from lilac to purple. The style is yellow in color while the stigmata are bright red. Kesar flowers are divided into 3 branches. The red colored stigma of the flowers are harvested and used for spice purposes.
Uses of Saffron
The most popular use of saffron in India is as a flavoring and coloring agent in milk and milk sweets. Apart from this it is used as a seasoning agent in cheese, mayonnaise, meat, etc. They are popular as a flavoring and seasoning agent in the Mughlai cuisine. It is used for healing arthritis, infertility, liver enlargement and fever in Ayurveda.
Ideal Conditions for Saffron Cultivation
Saffron can grow almost anywhere. For commercial saffron production the primary requirement is fertile soil. Climate is the next big factor. It needs a good photoperiod and a dry soil with light moisture.
Climate for Saffron Cultivation
Optimal climate for growing saffron is warm, sub-tropical climate. Saffron grows well at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. It needs a photoperiod of 12 hours. In other words, it needs 12 hours of sunlight for good growth.
Season for Saffron Farming
In India, saffron corms are cultivated during the months of June and July. At some places it is also cultivated in August and September. Saffron plant starts flowering in October. Saffron needs extreme heat and dryness in summer and extreme cold during winter. Maximum vegetative growth takes place during winter. Such weather is prevalent in parts of Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
Soil for Saffron Farming
Soil is one of the primary requirements in saffron cultivation. It can grow in loamy, sandy or calcareous soil. Gravelly soil is also favorable for saffron farming. It is not necessary to have a good moisture retaining capacity in the soil as saffron needs a medium amount of moisture during growth and extreme dryness in summer. However, a heavy, clayey soil is not suitable for saffron farming.
pH Required for Saffron Plant
Saffron prefers acidic soil. It grows well when the soil pH is around 5.5 to 8.5.
Water Requirement in Saffron Cultivation
Saffron crop requires little water. The soil must not be completely dry but just moist. Unlike a lot of other crops it does not need a very wet soil. The soil must be lightly moist for optimal growth. In case of erratic rains, sprinkler irrigation is the most commonly followed practice. About 283 m3 per acre of water must be distributed throughout the period of saffron cultivation. Irrigation is done on weekly basis. The agricultural Directorate of Jammu and Kashmir recommend weekly irrigation for ten weeks among which the first seven is the most crucial period. This is because it promotes vegetative growth and facilitates flowering. Pre-flowering irrigation must be done in the last week of August and continued upto mid-October. The last three irrigations are done in November to promote vegetative growth of kesar plant.
Crop Rotation with Saffron
Research has shown that repeated saffron cultivation on the same field makes the soil ‘sick’. In other words, the fertility gets affected. Sowing beans has been found effective in increasing the crop yield of saffron and also increase the corm size. It is advisable to not cultivate saffron for 8-10 years after one round of saffron farming.
Planting Material for Saffron Farming
Saffron cultivation is done through corms that are underground, compressed stems. There are three different varieties of saffron cultivated in India, especially in Kashmir.
Aquilla Saffron
Cultivated in Italy at Navelli Valley and Sardinia, it is an Iranian variety. The plants of this variety are shorter and so is the thread length. The color is slightly less red than Kashmiri saffron. However, it is the most abundantly available variety of saffron in the market since it is produced in bulk and is less costly than Kashmiri variety.
Crème Saffron
This variety is used in US and other countries and is of lower quality as compared to Kashmiri or Iranian variety. The floral waste is higher in this variety and has a lot of yellow parts of the style. Needless to say it is the cheapest of all varieties of saffron available in the market.
Lacha Saffron
Cultivated only in the Kashmiri soil, this variety is the most popular of all. It ranks number one in the world in terms of quality. The strands are dark crimson red. They are exclusive to the Kashmiri soil. The flavor, aroma and color that it imparts make it special worldwide. This type of saffron is difficult to find outside the Indian borders. In addition, it is the most expensive type of saffron available in the market.
Land Preparation for Saffron Cultivation in India
The land for saffron cultivation must be ploughed two to three times. It should be free of previous crop debris, stones, rocks and soil clods. Repeated ploughing helps the soil loosen, the subsoil come up to the surface and fertility also increases. Farm yard manure and organic content are also mixed with the soil before cultivation. Saffron can be cultivated in both beds as well as in pits. Pits are dug that maybe 12-15 cm deep with an inter-plant distance of 10 cm.
Planting of Saffron Plant
The corms for saffron cultivation are planted directly into the previously dug pits. The surface is then covered loosely with soil. Compact packing may restrict air circulation. Normally, irrigation is not required after sowing the corms. However, if there has been a long dry spell or prolonged drought with hot season then irrigation maybe needed. It also depends on the presence of moisture in the soil.
Weed Management
Weeds like saffron thistle compete with the crop for nutrition and sunlight. It is a prickly, hardy and stocky plant with sharp spines that cause injury. The most common method of weed control is mulching the plants with saw dust. Weedicides are also used in some places.
Diseases in Saffron Cultivation
The major diseases affecting saffron crop are fusarium wilt, violet root rot and Rhizoctonia crocorum. Porcupines, rabbit and rodents are other pests that can spell damage on saffron crop.
Fusarium Wilt
Causative Agent
Fusarium oxysporum
Symptoms
- Basal stem rot during flowering period
- Corm rot
- Shoots yellow and wilt away
Violet Root Rot
Causative Agent
Rhizoctonia species
Symptoms
- Leaves appear chlorotic initially
- Infection spreads throughout the kesar plant rapidly
- Wilting and dying of plants take place quickly
Rhizoctonia crocorum
Causative Agent
Rhizoctonia species
Symptoms
- Violet film-like mycelial growth on the plant
- Infection starts with the leaves progressing downward
- Roots rot and plants ultimately wilt away
Harvesting and Saffron Production in India
Harvesting process in saffron is laborious and time consuming. In fact, it is the harvest process that makes saffron a costly spice. Saffron plants start flowering within three to four months of planting. Therefore, if planted in June, ideally they would start flowering by October. Specialty of saffron is that the flowers are the commercially used part. Flowers bloom at dawn and wilt as the day progresses. Therefore, harvesting of flowers must be done at dawn. It is said that the flowers must be plucked between sunrise and 10 AM. The flowers are then piled to remove the stigma which is the orange to red colored part. The stigma strands are dried under the sun for five days and then packed in air-tight containers. In case of solar driers, it needs 7-8 hours of drying.
Reference
- http://diragrijmu.nic.in/saffron/saffron-manual.pdf
- http://www.saffronkashmir.com/types-of-saffron.html
- http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/pests-diseases-and-weeds/weeds/a-z-of-weeds/saffron-thistle
- http://www.indianspices.com/spice-catalog/saffron
- http://www.spices.res.in/spices/saffron.php
- http://www.apsnet.org/publications/plantdisease/2000/July/Pages/84_7_806.3.aspx
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4630316/
- https://plantpathology.unl.edu/rhizoctonia-first-root-disease-pathogen
Is it possible to cultivate saffron in Ahmednagar district of Maharshtra state with controlled and closed environment?
Possibility and profitability are two different things. Even if you are able to produce saffron in Maharashtra in polyhouse the quality will not be good and the cost of production will be higher compared to natural weather. Hence this will not be a viable business model.
Can we try cultivating saffron in eastern UP, nearby Gorakhpur, for commercial purpose?
Saffron is not a suitable crop for Uttar Pradesh climate. Though there are very few example of people trying saffron farming in Uttar Pradesh but the quality of produced saffron is not the same as Kashmir. You’ll also face marketing problem.
Is this a viable cultivation in rajasthan?
Can we growth saffron in Uttarakahnd, If yes, which place, please tell, Also tell us cost of cultivating suffron in one acre.
Hello sir I wanted to ask that can I grow saffron in Andhra Pradesh, is this good idea and the soil, climate would be suitable for crop or not ?
Please refer the article.
I am interested to grow saffron in Ludhiana, punjab. Please guide me, if possible.
Are there any chances for growing saffron in Gujarat??
Hi Sir,
I’m from Karnataka. Which parts of Karnataka are good to grow saffron?
Thanks and regards.
I live in pakistan umerkot this is part of south sindh I want to grow saffron in our area is it possible? Pl guide me
Is it possible to grow saffron in middle zone of India by hydroponic method? Can it be profitable or not?
Do you want to grow saffron commercially?
Sir,
I am from lower Himachal District Bilaspur.
I am highly interested to grow saffron.
Is there least chance to grow saffron in Lower Himachal?
What’s the minimum and maximum temperature throughout the year in your area?
Is it possible to grow saffron hydroponically to whom shall I contract primary consultancy purpose?
Dear Sir, I go through the content. I could not find the address or contact number of saffron bulb supplier. Please get me the address and the price of bulb.
What quantity of saffron bulbs you require?
Sir,
Am looking for all 3 types of saffron bulbs. Am from karnataka. Could you provide the source or supplier contact.
Hi, I just wanted to know if it is possible to grow saffron in Sikkim.
Is it possible to cultivate saffron using hydroponics in Pune.
Does anyone know any saffron bulb suppliers? if so can they please tell me their contact info
We need Technical consultancy to go saffron in Kazakistan. Please inform when you can visit with us to study the possibility.
I am interested to do my own saffron farming in Papua New Guinea.
Kindly assist me to have excess to obtain the bulbs.
Any sizes. with the prices included.
Hi sir interested in cultivating saffron by hydroponicaly at Rajasthan where in summer temperature is extremely hot and in winter it’s come down to 11 to 15 and in some areas even 3 to 5 plz guide me.
We shall contact you once we get started the primary consultancy service.
I am looking for a saffron cultivation farm to establish cooperation.
It is highly appreciated if anyone could direct me to a proper person or company
I want saffron crown supplier contact details.
sir can we grow saffron in karnataka
We shall contact you once we get started the primary consultancy service in saffron farming.
I need to know where I can saffron bulbs a very good quality of himachal or Kashmir
Is it possible to cultivate saffron in Darjeeling Hills?
Dear Sir,
Good Day
Did you manage to start this in Darjeeling, or get any idea reg this for saffron cultivation in Hills.
It is possible to cultivate i Western Uttar pradesh
It is possible to cultivate kesar in Uttrakhand district dehradoon please reply
Hello sir, I am from west up in meerut distinct.
I am interesting to grow saffron for commercial purpose. Please suggest can i start this farming?
Hello sir… Its possible to Start saffron farming by Hydroponics way (indoor/outdoor) in Karnataka Mangalore
It depends on many factors. We shall start primary consultancy on saffron farming shortly. Please check our portal after few days for the same.
Hi Asif,
I also live in Mangalore. Are you tried saffron farming?
I need seeds, land is ready and appropriate for growing saffron.
Hello sir, is Gujarat a suitable place to cultivate saffron for commercial purpose? Around Ahmadabad?
We have cultivated saffron in Haryana, Cheeka just for testing purpose, we need to check the quality of that Saffron, can you help us out in this so that we can cultivate it in Future? Please guide us.
Interested in growing saffron
1) Is my place suitable for it – N.Rampura , Nittur hobli, Gubbi taluk,tumakuru district ,karnataka-572223
2) what is the cost to grow it in 1 acre farm .
I am interested in saffron cultivation in Indore under control environment using poly farm and sprinklers for irrigation.Please advise suitableness and consultancy cost etc.
Thanks
Hukumchand
I am from Maharashtra place Mumbai Dombivali I am cultivating Saffron’s 500 bulbs in 2019 January in home souiless perllite, cocopit,& vermiculite my all bulbs are in flowering stage but bulbs are infected small might. & Plant steam was rottan any herbal pesticide suggest I am trying been powder,being soda,&apple vinegar & ash
1. I am interested in safron cultivation in my apple orchard (8000 ft height) in Manali.
2. I would like to gain complete theoretical knowledge & a feasibility study.
Request advise. Rgds
क्या बिहार के भोजपुरमे केसर का खेती कर. सकता हूँ. उचित सलाह दे.
Can we do saffron cultivation ?, places like Western Ghats …hilly region…like SHIMOGA,Chikkamagaluru,Kodagu….and whre we can get bulbs?
Hlo greetings,
I want to know that can I grow saffron at home just for own purpose..
I m from Lucknow Uttar Pradesh.
Is it useful to grow saffron in this area.
Kindly reply I really wanna know this please it’s a request from my side.
Regards.
Very nice article about saffron farming , one can be proceed to cultivate saffron farming with this information, However, only thing is that availability and price which to pay for planting material is not mentioned. If it will be clearified then many new growers will definitely come forward.
Where can i find some seed,to find out wheather its applicable in Kerala.
Can safron be cultivated in tamilnadu
Where in Himachal Pradesh can we initiate kesar cultivation for commercial use.
Respected sir
I am from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan and to have interest to corp saffron in one bigha as testing. You are requested to provide genuine bulb supplier alongwith price and also valueable suggestions.
With kind regards
Have you started consulting for Hydroponic saffron farming? I am very much interested if you have a working model ready. I am looking for running this project on a pilot basis and then it can be commercialised.
I’m from Sri Lanka . Some districts in our country has suitable climate conditions for growing saffron, but problem is there haven’t single plant of saffron in my country. no one growing saffron in Sri Lanka neither universities in Sri Lanka. So could I get a help from you guys?
can we grow the saffron in the telangana we have high temparature and in winter minimum 10 to 20 degree
At what time can I plant saffron bulbs in South india Karnataka. I am In kodagu coldy place
Sir i am a 18 y.o student from Karnataka
I wanted to produce saffron in small quantity for commercial purpose in our farm
What fertilizers would i need and please provide any contact of the saffron plant bulb supplier…….
Also where can I sell the saffron in small quantity
We successfully cultivated saffron in Jharkhand. There is no boundation. With proper knowledge and take and with right facility anybody can do this.. Go ahead.