Why Iran’s Saffron Thrives, Kashmir Struggles In this in-depth interview, saffron expert Elham Fathifar sheds light on the declining production of saffron in Kashmir and examines the broader challenges confronting the world’s most valuable spice. Drawing comparisons with Iran—the largest global producer—Fathifar discusses factors such as climate change, soil fatigue, water scarcity, traditional farming practices, rising input costs, and market dynamics that have impacted saffron yields in recent