Agriculture Dept Pampore Launches Crackdown, Constitutes Squad to Curb Illegal Export of Saffron Corms; Farmers to Receive Rs 27,000 per Kanal Support Under HADP, JKCIP

 

Sachnews Jammu Kashmir

Pampore, August 22:

The Department of Agriculture, Zone Pampore, under the supervision of Agriculture Extension Officer Pampore, Ishtiyaq Ahmad Bhat, has constituted a special squad to curb the illegal export of saffron corms outside the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Officials told Sachnews Jammu Kashmir that the primary objective of the squad is to prevent the unauthorized movement of saffron corms and safeguard the interests of local growers. The squad will also monitor and document corm extraction activities across saffron-growing areas and ensure that the corms are replanted in designated fields on time.

Authorities have warned that the illegal export or transportation of saffron corms is a punishable offence under the Seed Act, 1966 and the Saffron Act, 2007, which may result in imprisonment, heavy fines, and confiscation of seized material.

Farmers and stakeholders have been urged to fully cooperate with the department in its campaign against illegal corm export and to support ongoing efforts to preserve the germplasm of world-famous Kashmiri saffron.

Speaking to Sachnews Jammu Kashmir, Agriculture Extension Officer Pampore, Ishtiyaq Ahmad Bhat, said that sowing and extraction of saffron corms is presently underway in the saffron fields of Pampore. He added that for several years, the illegal smuggling of saffron corms has remained a major challenge. Awareness campaigns were conducted last year, and raids were carried out at several locations in Pampore. Continuing this programme, special drives and raids have been launched this year across all saffron belts—including Pampore, Samboora, Chandhara, Lethpora, Androosa, and Dusoo—for the past one week.

He further revealed that earlier this month, 1.5 quintals of saffron corms were seized in the Awantipora area from outsiders who were attempting to illegally export them from J&K. “This is exactly why these drives and awareness campaigns are being carried out,” he said.

The renowned saffron crop of the region, along with its seed, must be preserved locally. Under programmes like HADP and JKCIP, farmers engaged in extraction and sowing will be supported. After sowing, an assistance of ₹27,000 per kanal will be directly deposited into their bank accounts. This initiative aims to ensure that Kashmiri saffron is preserved and multiplied locally.

At the same time, the Agriculture Department is maintaining complete records of ongoing extractions. Detailed data of farmers—including their names, Aadhaar numbers, source of corm extraction, and the fields where they are replanted—is being collected. This will help authorities track exactly how much seed was extracted, how much was sown, and where it was sown.

“These records will help us prevent the illegal movement of saffron corms outside the Union Territory. We are analyzing the extraction and sowing done by each farmer to ensure the preservation of this unique crop. These efforts will continue throughout the peak sowing season,” Bhat added.

He warned that any person in Pampore found involved—directly or indirectly—in the illegal export of saffron corms will face strict punishment along with heavy fines.