Expert stresses synchronized action by farmers to control attacks

Pampore: Farmers in Konibal Village of Pampore in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district are facing extensive damage to their Saffron fields due to porcupine attacks.
Many farmers have reported that porcupines have damaged their Saffron corms at Konibal Saffron fields, posing a significant threat to the Saffron crops. These porcupines are attacking Saffron fields during the night hours.
Speaking with Kashmir Reader, the farmers said, “We raised the porcupine issues during the Zaffron festival with higher officials last month at IIKSTC Dusoo Pampore.”
They have requested higher officials to protect their Saffron Corms from these porcupines.
Abdul Majeed Mir, a farmer from Konibal, said that porcupines have caused extensive damage to the Saffron fields in the village. “For the past few years, we have been requesting the concerned department for assistance, but so far, no solution has been forthcoming. Last year, we were told that the wildlife department would rescue them, but nothing has happened so far,” he said.
“Our plea to LG Sahab and the Director of Agriculture is to rescue us from these losses and devise a solution to rescue the porcupines,” he added.
Currently, the rate for one quintal of Saffron corms is Rs 50,000 and dozens of acres of Saffron land have been damaged by porcupines.
In our present location, 5 to 6 acres of land have suffered complete damage, and numerous Saffron fields in Konibal Village are similarly affected, Mir said.
Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, another farmer, revealed that over the past week, porcupines have inflicted significant damage on Saffron fields, and the situation is not under control. The attacks occur during night hours, causing harm to the Saffron crops.
He said they had previously visited the Research Station SKUAST-Kashmir in Dusoo, where they were advised to go to the Agriculture department. “However, the Agriculture Department directed us to the Revenue Department. Now, we are appealing to the LG, Deputy Commissioner, Chief Secretary, and Director of Agriculture to pay attention to the issue to prevent further losses,” he said.
Approximately 5 to 6 kanals of Saffron land have been completely damaged by porcupines, and numerous Saffron fields on both sides have also suffered damage. Some lands have had their total Saffron corms damaged, while others are currently safe.
Abdul Salam Sheikh, another farmer, said it becomes a challenge to expect future production when the corms themselves are damaged.
Speaking to Kashmir Reader, Professor Dr Bashir Ahmad Alaie, Head of the Research Station SKUAST-Kashmir in Dusoo Pampore, said that currently, the most significant threat to Saffron crops is posed by porcupines and rodents.
“The reason porcupines are currently causing damage to Saffron crops is attributed to the fact that the open fields provide them with an easily available food source, primarily saffron corms. Saffron is abundant in these fields, making them an attractive feeding ground for porcupines,” he said, adding, “Their preference for Saffron corms as a food source leads them to travel from distant areas to the Saffron belt, causing damage to the fields in the process. The Saffron belt, being their chosen habitat, becomes vulnerable to their feeding activities, impacting the Saffron crop.”
“Unless all farmers collectively implement a comprehensive control management system, the efforts to control porcupines may not yield desired results. Cooperation and synchronized action among farmers in the entire area are essential for effective porcupine control in saffron fields,” Prof Alaie said.
He added, “It is important to note that they cannot be killed or directly harmed, as it is prohibited by wildlife regulations. Instead, the focus should be on managing and keeping porcupines away from Saffron fields through non-lethal means. We have a product, a repellent, which emits an odour. When applied to a field, it keeps porcupines away for approximately seven days.”
Similarly, for rodent control, recommended substances like zinc phosphide and aluminium phosphide, along with specific management practices, can effectively manage rodents when followed collectively by all farmers, Dr Bashir added.

BILAL HABIB