Anti-Porcupine Strategy Rolled Out to Protect Saffron

Idrees Bukhtiyar
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23 Apr 2026

Srinagar, 22 Apr:- Authorities in the valley have drawn up a series of stringent measures to counter the growing threat of porcupine attacks that are wreaking havoc on the prized saffron fields of south Kashmir’s Pampore town.

Farmers in Pampore widely known as Kashmir’s “saffron town” say porcupines have been extensively damaging saffron corms, resulting in heavy losses over the past two years and deepening concerns over the crop’s future.

The Agriculture Department Kashmir said a coordinated strategy is being put in place to protect the high-value crop and curb the menace.

“We have already taken up the matter with the Wildlife Department and asked them to capture the porcupines to prevent further damage. We are also exploring the use of repellents to keep them away from the fields,” Director Agriculture Kashmir, Sartaj Ahmad Shah, told Rising Kashmir.

Shah partly attributed the surge in porcupine activity to declining farmer presence in the fields. “Many farmers are no longer regularly attending their fields, which has led to an increase in rodent activity,” he said.

However, officials from the Wildlife Department believe trapping alone will not be effective given the scale of the problem. “The population of porcupines is too large for trapping to be a viable solution. We recommend that farmers install porcupine-proof fencing, which is the most practical and effective measure. Other interventions are unlikely to yield results,” a senior official said.

Saffron, often referred to as “red gold,” is not only a high-value crop but also a cornerstone of Kashmir’s cultural and agricultural identity. It sustains thousands of farming families and contributes significantly to the region’s economy. However, its production has seen a sharp and sustained decline over the years.

Currently priced between ₹2.5 lakh and ₹3.5 lakh per kilogram, Kashmiri saffron is supplied to major markets including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

Official data reveals a steep fall in output from 15.97 tonnes in 1997–98 to 3.48 tonnes in 2021–22, dropping further to just 2.6 tonnes by 2024. Experts attribute this decline to multiple factors, including snowless winters, inadequate irrigation infrastructure, and the steady loss of farmland to urban expansion.

Already under stress due to climate change, the saffron sector is now grappling with the added threat of porcupine attacks, compounding the crisis for growers.

The government has acknowledged the issue. Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Javed Ahmad Rana, recently informed the Legislative Assembly that a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy is being implemented to address porcupine-induced damage in Pampore and adjoining areas. He said field evidence has confirmed a significant presence of porcupines in the region.