Irrigation sprinkler brings relief to saffron growers in Pampore

BASHARAT RASHID

Pampore,October 14: The saffron growers in the Pampore town of Pulwama have expressed pleasure over the availability of irrigation sprinklers in their saffron fields.

The growers were seen happy with this initiative, by the concerned authorities, who said that “getting irrigation can increase the production of saffron now.”

It’s pertinent to mention here that Pampore town is famous all over the world for saffron cultivation but, the decline in saffron production over the years had left farmers frustrated.

The farmers believe that the lack of production was due to the lack of irrigation, which may be mitigated now, as this year the Department of Agriculture has introduced some tubules to irrigate the fields, which has raised the expectations of the farmers.

Farmers say that the saffron picking season is starting in a few days with saffron flowers already started “blooming prematurely” in the shade, which can be seen as a great joy among the farmers.

They said that this irrigation has been started with the introduction of Bore wells which has raised the hopes of them.

The farmers further said that irrigation is being provided for only three hours & have appealed to the administration to give four hours instead of three hours for irrigation so that the water can reach the seeds which can increase the yield.