The spiked rodent species of porcupine is giving a tough time to saffron growers in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Porcupine is a spiked rodent that is emerging as a serious pest causing damage to different crops and fruit trees.
World’s most expensive flower/spice (Saffron) is grown in the karewas of pampore area of district pulwama and the majority of the population of the area are directly or indirectly associated with the Saffron industry and area earning their livelihood from it.
The saffron industry is declining year by year due to the seasonal imbalance and the other challenges faced by the saffron farmers and in between this the damages caused by the Porcupine to the saffron corm is challenging to both the department and the farmers associated.
Abdul Aziz a farmer associated with the Saffron farming said that the Porcupine is damaging the saffron corm in the saffron fields of Lethpora and adjoining areas from last many years which is a direct threat to the saffron industry from which majority of the people of the area are earning their livelihood. He said that they have taken up this matter with the higher ups of the department of agriculture and other associated department but till date no proper solution was given and the Porcupine keep damaging the saffron corm.
Another farmer associated with the farming said that the saffron industry is declining year by year due to multiple reasons and in between this the Porcupine is giving tough time to the saffron farmers and requested the department for immediate attention.
The farmers associated requested concerned department’s, Leutinant governer administration and the Omar Abdullah led government to chart out a strategy with the department of Wildlife to adress
