Team Blitz India
COCHIN: Idukki is now becoming fast popular as ‘Kashmir of Kerala’ with saffron farming bearing good results in the town. The tourist town is now becoming famous for saffron and visitors are flocking in large numbers to witness the same.
As part of the pilot project launched by Central Government’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), under the guidance of the Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR) at various locations in Idukki, saffron farming in Kerala is becoming successful. Various fields in the district, including Vattavada, Kanthalloor and Vagamon, farmers under the patronage of KVK have successfully cultivated saffron in their land.
Kanthalloor, known for its winter fruits, vegetable cultivation and scenic locales is all set to emerge as the hub of saffron cultivation in the state. The place, now famous as ‘Kashmir of Kerala’, has been found suitable by the agricultural scientists to grow the ‘red gold’.
The surge in saffron farming in the state began in 2022 after KVK organised a campaign in Kanthalloor asking farmers to take up saffron cultivation on an experimental basis. The members of the farming community who evinced interest were given seeds and technical guidance.
According to KVK officials, one acre under saffron cultivation can generate up to a kilogram of harvest. The market price of saffron is around Rs 3 lakh per kg in the open market. Saffron farming needs special care as once the flowers bloom they should be plucked and sun dried at the right time.
