Srinagar- More than a decade after its launch, the ambitious National Saffron Mission-meant to revive the famed saffron fields of Kashmir-has turned into a story of neglect, mismanagement, and unfulfilled promises.

Launched in 2010–11 with a budget of ₹400 crore, the mission was envisioned to rejuvenate saffron cultivation in the Pampore belt by introducing modern irrigation facilities, high-yield corms, and financial incentives to farmers, including ₹25,000 per kanal and subsidized sprinkler systems.

However, a visit to the saffron-growing areas of Pampore tells a very different story. Irrigation pipes meant for fields now lie unused, some tied together and repurposed as makeshift fences.

“These pipes were meant to bring water to our fields, but they never did,” said Abdul Samad, a grower from Konibal, Pampore.“Tube wells were dug but never made functional. Eventually, we started using the pipes for fencing because they were just lying around.”

Under the scheme, 253 tube wells and over 3,700 sprinkler sets were to be installed across Pulwama and Budgam districts, including 128 tube wells in Pulwama alone. But locals say only a handful were ever operational, leaving fields dry and yields poor.

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