BUSINESS

The average price of saffron—also known as the ‘King of spices’—has fallen 4.5% in the national capital, New Delhi, during the past two years. In the financial year (FY) 2024, the saffron was sold at Rs. 166,562.5 a kilogram in the wholesale market, while its average price in the Delhi markets during FY 2022 was Rs. 174,430.56 a kilogram, said an official data. The prices were reportedly indicative of trends and obtained from local markets in Delhi. However, prices for saffron vary across the country depending on quality and origin. Saffron comes from the stigma and styles of the saffron crocus flower, making its procurement highly labor-intensive. Notably, Kashmiri saffron was distinctive for its dark colour, strong flavour, and aroma compared to other parts of the world. O...

mid record breaking tourist arrivals, the airlines companies have hiked the airfare from various destinations to Kashmir by more than 40 per cent. As such, the stakeholders fear it could impact the flow of tourists in the coming months when Kashmir usually remains abuzz with visitors. As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a cursory look at the airfare chart by various airline companies suggest that a one way trip from New Delhi to Srinagar costs between Rs 8000-11000 per person. Normally the same ticket would sell at Rs 4500-Rs 5000 per person. Similarly, an air ticket from West Bengal, where Kashmir receives maximum tourists during the ongoing season, sells between Rs 13000 to Rs 20000 per person. A return ticket costs between Rs 15000 to Rs 20000 per person. ...

The streets of South Kashmir, especially in Anantnag, are unusually quiet ahead of Eid ul Adha, with a noticeable absence of the typical pre-Eid business rush. This slowdown has significantly impacted traders in Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, and Shopian districts, where the bustling activity that usually characterizes this time of year has diminished dramatically. Typically, these markets would be alive with people making festive purchases, but this year there's a significant decline in consumer activity. "This is very unusual. The trade during these days used to spike up, but this year, the shopping has just picked up with only one day left to Eid. We are barely able to manage our shop rents. GST, Inflation, loan interest hikes, demonetization, small businesses have taken one hit after...

The Kashmir Valley has achieved remarkable revenue generation of Rs 300 crores from this year's garlic production, with an increase in prices compared to previous years, official data reveals. According to the data accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the 2023-2024 fiscal year saw the production of 67,500 metric tons of garlic, covering 4,500 hectares of land. Out of the total production, 30,000 metric tons of garlic have been exported outside the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which has resulted in a revenue of Rs 300 crores. According to the data, the total garlic production for the fiscal year is expected to reach 70,000 metric tons. The average sale price of garlic this year has been Rs 100 per kilogram, higher than in previous years. This has furthe...

The Jammu Kashmir admin has formed district level committees to be headed by the concerned deputy commissioners for identification of land to establish 5-star hotels in the region. As per the order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), number—1116-J&KGAD, dated May 30, 2024, sanction is hereby accorded to the constitution of district level committee (s) for identification of land for establishment of 5-Star hotels in the Union Territory. The panel (s), as per the order, will have concerned deputy commissioners as its chairman with concerned Director Tourism, DFO, Chief Town Planner, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager District Industries Centre as its members. “The terms of reference of the committee (s) will be to identify suitable land for establishm...

Owners of tea stalls at Doodhpathri tourist resort of central Kashmir’s Budgam district have been asked to vacate the spaces they have been occupying within 10 days. Several tea stalls have come up along the roadside at Doodhpatri ‘illegally’. The owners of these tea stalls have even erected tents and shades without seeking permission from the concerned department. An official from the Forest Department told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that a team from the Forest Protection Force visited Doodhpathri and warned the owners of these tea stalls of action in case they don’t vacate the space. He said that the Forest Department received several complaints wherein it was alleged that the owners of these illegal tea stalls not only cut the tree branches but also disfigure the beauty...

The Medical Department team took action against an unregistered hair transplant clinic and directed it not to operate after a customer alleged that he was cheated and his hair transplant surgery was conducted by inexperienced doctors as a result he developed health complications. The clinic in question is “Foliage Hair Expert Clinic” located in the uptown area of Jawahar Nagar Srinagar. The action was taken by the Chief Medical Officer Srinagar after the aggrieved customer filed an online complaint on LG’s Grievance Portal. Shortly after receiving the complaint, the Clinical Establishment Section CMO office in Srinagar as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust reported that the proprietor of the “Foliage Hair Expert Clinic” has been running his clinic without any intimation to the of...

Kashmir orchardists are spraying growth regulators worth crores despite not being recommended by SKAUST or the department of horticulture. With the onset of spring, growers in several areas of Kashmir have started spraying growth regulators in their orchards with the claim it helps in better fruit set. But some still believe it is a waste of time. Experts told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that there are over a dozen brands of growth regulators available in the market but none of them have been recommended either by the directorate of horticulture or by SKUAST (Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology). Mohammad Ashraf, a fruit grower from Shopian said that fruit sets maintained by growth regulators don't last long and all these fruits fall ...

Every morning Waseem Ahmad Wani (26) leaves his home with a variety of flower saplings towards Srinagar-Baramulla highway. He stations at multiple places along the highway selling a variety of native as well as exotic flower saplings to the people. This has been his routine during the spring and summer seasons for the last three years and gives him enough returns to make ends meet. “I was earlier working in a private company which gave me a very low salary. In 2021, I learned about the scope of floriculture in Kashmir and utilized my five marlas of agriculture land growing a variety of follower saplings,” he told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). Wani said he sought assistance from the floriculture department in growing exotic flower saplings. “I installed a greenhouse a...

The fruit growers and buyers in Kashmir are deeply concerned, saying they face losses due to the low demand for apples. Speaking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), growers and buyers expressed their dismay over the current situation, saying there has been a drastic decrease in apple prices compared to the rates during the main apple season in October-November 2023. Mohamad Ashraf, a fruit grower from Shopian, said he was offered Rs 1,200 per apple box in November last year but opted to store them in a cold store at Lassipora. However, he now finds himself receiving only around Rs 800 per box, much lower than the expected rates of Rs 1,800-2,000. Similarly, Shakeel Ahmad, an apple trader, lamented purchasing high-quality apples at Rs 1,000-1,500 per box last Novem...