Srinagar, Sept. 17 -- Still recovering from last year's losses, saffron growers are waiting with bated breath for September showers for corm development.

Last year's prolonged dry spell and erratic weather severely affected fields across the traditional saffron-growing areas of Kashmir. Several growers reported production losses of more than 90% in their fields, describing the season as among the worst in nearly a decade.

A year after erratic and largely dry weather severely hit saffron cultivation, growers said conditions this season have so far been more favourable, with timely rains improving soil moisture and raising hopes of a better flowering season.

For farmers, however, September remains critical. "Last year we didn't receive g...