In a landmark development for the global agricultural landscape, a high-level delegation of scientists and policy experts from Iran arrived at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) on Sunday to begin a high-stakes study tour aimed at revolutionising saffron production. 

The visit, facilitated through SKUAST-K collaboration with the International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), marks a significant moment of ‘science diplomacy’ between two of the world’s most prominent saffron-growing regions.

The inaugural ceremony of the five-day program, titled ‘Saffron Cultivation, Production, Best Practices & Capacity Building in Traceability & Authenticity Analysis’, was held at the university’s Shalimar campus. The session was chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmed Ganai and co-chaired by Dr Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General of ICRISAT. The visiting Iranian team includes Elham Fattahifar, Director General for Greenhouses and Medicinal Plants, along with Parisa Pourali and senior saffron specialist Ramin Esmi, all representing the Iranian Ministry of Agriculture Jahad.

During his address, Vice-Chancellor Prof Ganai highlighted SKUAST-K’s rapid ascent in national rankings and its commitment to cutting-edge research and academic excellence. He emphasised that the presence of Iranian experts offers a unique opportunity for a ‘cross-talk’ between international specialists and local scientists, allowing for a mutual exchange of traditional wisdom and modern technological interventions. Dr Stanford Blade of ICRISAT echoed these sentiments, expressing strong confidence that this partnership would pave the way for long-term cooperation in global research efforts and the exchange of students and scholars.

The opening session was also attended by SKUAST-K’s Director Research Prof Haroon Naik, Registrar Prof Azmat Alam Khan, Heads of Divisions & Research Stations, Scientists associated with Saffron Research & Research Scholars.

A technical highlight of the day was the keynote address by renowned saffron expert Dr FA Nehvi, the former head of SKUAST-K’s Saffron Research Station. Dr Nehvi, who was instrumental in the National Mission on Saffron, detailed the urgent challenges facing the industry, specifically the volatile impact of climate change. He urged the visiting delegation and local researchers to prioritise crop modeling as a vital tool to navigate environmental shifts and ensure the sustainability of the "Red Gold" industry.

The five-day itinerary will see the Iranian experts tour SKUAST-K’s advanced facilities, including SKUAST-K Incubation Centre, Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, and Research Centre for Residue and Quality Analysis. A pivotal segment of the tour includes a visit to SKUAST’s Advanced Research Station for Saffron and Seed Spices and India International Kashmir Saffron Trading Centre (IIKSTC) in Dusu, Pampore, where the delegation will examine Kashmir’s sophisticated GI-tagging and e-auction systems. The program, coordinated by a joint team led by Dr Manzoor Husain Dar of ICRISAT and Prof Sher A Dar of SKUAST-K, is expected to culminate in a shared vision for enhancing the traceability and global market value of saffron.