High demand force farmers to return to saffron cultivation

In the wake of increase in demand and high prices of saffron in international markets, farmers in Kashmir are returning to saffron cultivation. During the last cultivation season, the area received scanty rains causing sharp reduction in saffron yield. The production of saffron in 2007 was 6000 kilograms while in 2008 it was down by 60 percent less than the target set by the agriculture department. But this year farmers are hopeful of earning good as the rates have shot up in the international markets.