Wani promotes Kashmiri saffron at Kisan Mela

Sajjad ul Akbar Wani, a former educator, is bringing Kashmiri saffron to Ludhiana. Wani, who has a PhD in ecology, was a teacher until three years ago when he took over his family’s saffron farm after his father had a stroke. Now, Wani is part of a collective called Kashmir Agro Exports. This group focuses on saffron grown in Pampore and other local products. At the Kisan Mela event, he showcased a variety of Kashmiri items, including honey, saffron, lavender, and saffron perfumes. Wani believes in hard work and ambition. He stated, “Jobs are only for lazy people. Those with ambition can do much more.” He is proud of his decision to leave teaching to run the farm. He shares responsibilities with about 50 other farmers in the collective, supported by technology from the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. Last year at a similar festival, Wani's collective earned 7 lakhs in just three days. While he says he isn’t making enough for a luxurious lifestyle, he feels he provides for his family, which includes his wife and two children. Visitors to his stall appreciated the unique products and praised the Kisan Mela for its opportunity to learn about Kashmiri farming and business. One visitor noted that the Mela offered valuable exposure and ideas for improving local farming.