RICE
* Rice is the staple food of Kashmiris. Cultivation of rice requires hot and moist climate.
* It is a kharif crop and is sown in March-April and harvested in autumn. Sufficient water must cover the fields.
* The Valley of Kashmir in J&K is famous as the “Rice Bowl”.
* The tehsil of Ranbir Singh Pura (R.S Pura) in Jammu is world famous for its Basmati Rice.
* Rice is grown mostly in the districts of Jammu , Anantnag, Kulgam Baramulla, Kupwara, Srinagar, Pulwama and Kathua.
WHEAT
* Wheat is the staple food of the people of Jammu.
* It is a rabi crop and its plant requires cool and somewhat moist climate in the beginning and warm and dry weather at harvest time.
* The average rainfall should be between 50 to 70 cm and that too at regular intervals.
* Important wheat producing areas are Kathua, R.S.Pura, Samba and Reasi.
MAIZE
* It is an important cereal crop in Jammu and Kashmir.
* It requires hot dry climate. Rainfall required for maize varies from 75 cm to 125 cm.
* It is sown in May-July and harvested in August-November.
* It is cultivated on karewa lands in the valley of Kashmir, while as, in Jammu region Rajouri, Doda, Poonch and Udhampur are leading maize producing areas.
SAFFRON
* Saffron (Crocus Sativus) possessing innumerable medical and aromatic properties is a significant cash crop of Jammu and Kashmir.
* It is sown in Pampore in Kashmir region and Kishtwar and Bhadarwah in Jammu region. In Pampore about 3000 acres are under its cultivation while very small quantity is produced elsewhere.
* In local parlance saffron is known as “Zaffron"
NATIONAL MISSION ON SAFFRON
* Saffron cultivation in Kashmir has been facing a threat of extinction as the production, productivity and the quality of this world famous spice has declined.
* In order to address these issues, the central government launched National Mission on Saffron (NMS) with the aim to give boost to saffron cultivation in Jammu & Kashmir.
* The mission envisages various components for the economic revival of J&K saffron sector.