Pampore, Oct 17: In an innovative experiment aimed at diversifying agriculture and improving land utilisation in Kashmir, Pampore farmer Mohammed Sultan Rather is successfully trialling saffron cultivation in a high-density apple orchard, with encouraging results in the second year.

The experiment seeks to explore whether saffron, Kashmir’s prized cash crop, can be cultivated alongside high-density apple trees, potentially offering farmers an additional source of income from the same land.
Rather’s initiative has drawn attention to the possibility of combining horticulture with saffron cultivation, particularly at a time when farmers are exploring ways to diversify their crops and make agricultural operations more economically sustainable.
The encouraging progress in the second year has raised hopes that the model could offer a practical option for farmers, subject to its long-term performance and suitability under local growing conditions.
Kashmir’s agriculture sector faces growing pressure to improve productivity, manage rising cultivation costs and protect farm incomes. Crop diversification is increasingly important in this context, as it can help farmers explore additional income opportunities rather than depending on a single crop.
If the experiment proves viable over time, saffron cultivation within high-density apple orchards could provide a model for better utilisation of available land. However, its wider adoption would depend on factors such as crop compatibility, sunlight, soil conditions, saffron yield, cultivation costs and the impact on apple production.
Rather’s initiative highlights the scope for farmer-led innovation in Kashmir’s agricultural sector. Further assessment of the experiment’s productivity and economic returns could help establish whether the approach can be replicated by other orchardists.
The trial offers a promising avenue for exploring integrated farming practices that combine Kashmir’s established horticultural strengths with the potential of its high-value saffron crop.