Saffron Harvesting Festival at Kanthalloor, Idukki
(19-Nov-2023)
Saffron bloomed for the first time in Kerala. On farm trial of Saffron cultivation was successfully carried out by a farmer named Ramamurthy at Kanthalloor Perumala under the guidance of ICAR - Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Idukki as per approval received from Indian Council for Agricultural Research – (ATARI-Bengaluru). Studies have shown that saffron grown in Kashmir can be cultivated in Kerala. Kanthalloor areas of Idukki district have found suitable soil for saffron cultivation. ICAR- ATARI, Zone XI- Bengaluru, Director, Dr. V. Venkatasubramanian inaugurated the Harvesting festival of saffron. A large amount of saffron is grown in Kashmir, India. However, he said that the flower in Perumala was 1.5 mm larger than that. This is the first time saffron is being harvested in Kerala. As the cool climate of Kanthalloor is favorable, saffron will be cultivated in five acres of Perumala. Sri. Sudhakar Soundarajan, SMS (Plant Protection), KVK Idukki, undergone HRD training on Saffron cultivation from Saffron Research Station, Pampore and collected saffron corms from Pambur village in Srinagar. During (2022-23), first trial of saffron cultivation was conducted at Kanthalloor, whereas due to erratic rains received at Kanthalloor the cultivation was not up to the expectation. But this year (2023-24) the saffron trial was remarkable. Mr. Ramamurthy during (2023-24) cultivated saffron in his 25 cents. 200 kg of tuber was planted in 12 cents and the rest in poly house. The field was Properly maintained. The Team Headed by Dr. R Marimuthu, Project leader Mr. Sudhakar Soundarajan along with his co-leaders conducted frequent field visits to the plot and monitored the crop regularly. A good yield was obtained from his plot. Corms can be harvested within 30 to 50 days of planting. Three to five flowers are obtained depending on the size of the tuber. Up to one lakh tubers can be planted in one acre. 2.4 lakh to 2.50 lakh flowers will be obtained from this. It weighs one and a half kilograms. One kilo of saffron flower costs Rs. 3 lakh. Dr. V. Venkatasubramanian, Director, Zone XI- ICAR- ATARI Bengaluru, Mr. Mathew J Grace, Administrative Officer, Zone XI- ICAR- ATARI Bengaluru, Dr. R Marimuthu, Senior Scientist and Head, KVK Idukki, Mr. Sudhakar Soundarajan, SMS Plant Protection, Sri. P.T. Mohandas, Kanthalloor Panchayat President, Mr. Sathish, Agriculture Officer, Kanthalloor participated in the harvesting Festival.
Saffron flower (Bloomed stage-Before harvesting)
Harvesting of Saffron flowers by Dr. V. Venkatasubramanian, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Bengaluru - (Photo-1)
Harvesting of Saffron flowers by Dr. V. Venkatasubramanian, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Bengaluru - (Photo-2)
Farmer Mr. Ramamurthy with harvested saffron flowers
Harvesting of Saffron flowers
Media coverage meeting - (Photo-1)
Media coverage meeting - (Photo-2)
Saffron flower_Closeup view-1
Saffron flower_Closeup view-2Saffron flower (Bloomed stage-Before harvesting)
Harvesting of Saffron flowers by Dr. V. Venkatasubramanian, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Bengaluru - (Photo-1)
Harvesting of Saffron flowers by Dr. V. Venkatasubramanian, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Bengaluru - (Photo-2)
Farmer Mr. Ramamurthy with harvested saffron flowers
Harvesting of Saffron flowers
Media coverage meeting - (Photo-1)
Media coverage meeting - (Photo-2)
Saffron flower_Closeup view-1
Saffron flower_Closeup view-2
