A devastating flash flood caused by a cloudburst in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Danyore nala has wiped out a groundbreaking saffron farming project in just 30 minutes. The project, a symbol of innovation and climate-resilient agriculture, was located near Karakoram International University and spread across 20 kanals of land.
Launched in 2022 through a collaboration between local farmers, investors from Islamabad, and agricultural experts, the “Perfect Farming” initiative had been successfully growing imported saffron plants. The aim was to reduce Pakistan’s reliance on saffron imports and boost rural economic sustainability through high-value, climate-friendly farming.
With proven results and strong plant yields, the project was ready to expand regionwide by August 2025. However, the sudden flood destroyed saffron crops worth over Rs10 million and flattened a newly built processing facility. The lack of an early warning system meant nothing could be saved.
Ashfaq Ahmed, President of the Gilgit-Baltistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called for immediate government action. He urged the federal and provincial authorities, along with the Ministry of Climate Change, to compensate affected farmers and investors and implement protective measures against climate-related disasters.
Highlighting the broader impact, Standing Committee Chairperson Hina Maryam and the CEO of Perfect Farming said the project’s destruction is not just a loss for agriculture, but a blow to the region’s sustainable development goals. They called for crop insurance schemes, early warning systems, and climate-smart agriculture policies to be prioritized.
Shazia Shoukat, spokesperson for Perfect Farming and head of the Women Farmers Group, said, “This was not just a field—it was our future.” Despite the setback, she reaffirmed their commitment to sustainable farming. “The flood washed away our saffron, but not our resolve. If the nation stands with its farmers, we will grow again.”