Demography of saffron villages of Kashmir

Abstract

Saffron is a legendry crop of Jammu & Kashmir state. To study the status of Agriculture with particular reference to saffron in predominant saffron belts of District Pulwama and Budgam of Kashmir Valley, systematic Base Line Survey was conducted by Lead Centre SKUAST-K during 2009 as per the guidelines and prescribed format provided by NAIP ICAR, New Delhi. Results have indicated that in general, male population was observed to be more than female in all the surveyed villages except in Dussu, Hayatpora and Wuyan. Maximum Literacy rate (80.6%) was recorded in Dussu village and minimum in Hayatpora (44.2%). Total working Population in the surveyed villages varied from 57 (Hayatpora) to 2590 (Nagam) accounting for 12.69 and 39.98 per cent of total village population. Highest number of cultivators (945) accounting for 43.01 per cent of village working population has been observed in village Namblabal (Pampore) with minimum number (36) in village Kanilbagh, revealing maximum percentage of rural artisans (50.5%). Highest percentage of Cultivators (79.7%) was observed in village Gundbal followed by Dusoo (60.6%),Wadipora (54.5%) and Wuyan (50.6%), whereas in rest of the surveyed villages it was less than 50 per cent. In the villages under survey saffron is the predominant crop besides maize, rice and some vegetable crops. Wuyun reveals the maximum geographical area (1160.55 ha) followed by Nagam (938.61 ha), Ladhoo (908.94 ha), Lethpora (720 ha) and Shar-i-Shali (670.73 ha). Konibal reveals highest percentage of net area sown (89%) followed by Nobugh (85.5%), Among nineteen villages, highest percentage of irrigated area (above 85%) is observed in Nobugh followed by Kanilbagh (65.13%). It has been observed that wherever irrigation facility is available people prefer to cultivate rice rather than saffron. Introduction of saffron cultivation with assured irrigation being an important objective under NAIP will help in area expansion under the saffron cultivation being remunerative than rice. There is wide variation in the cropping pattern depending upon water availability and soil type. In all the surveyed villages saffron is being cultivated over longer planting cycle of more than fifteen years as a sole crop or as an intercrop with almond. Recently saffron has been introduced with apple/pear. Saffron is generally followed with linseed/oats/wheat under crop rotation. However in seven villages Rajmash/Lentil is also being cultivated. Rice is the predominant crop in the areas wherever water is available either through lift irrigation from the river or canal irrigation. Among vegetable crops, Kale, Knolkhol, Cabbage, Chillies and Cauliflower are also being cultivated in the surveyed villages. Maximum area under vegetables is observed in village Nobugh (37.70 ha). Major economic activity is agriculture with some assistance from business and government services. All the surveyed villages have Schools, but lack colleges. Villages have good facility of transport, telephones, Post Office and commercial establishments. Air pollution is a major concern of Cluster -1 involving a number of factories. Poor market, involvement of Dallas, Women drudgery and adulteration are some of the major social issues.