Golden Thread

I keep falling asleep before I post for the day! However, this threatens to disturb my waking hours: in the Kashmir valley of India, some of the most sought after saffron in the world is grown. (I think this area is the origin of Penzey's "Kashmir 'Mogra Cream' Indian Saffron", by the way.) However, the crop is down again this year. It has been declining for as many as 15 years, perhaps more. Why? 'Cause cement factories are cool, and the rain, she don't come like she used ta.
http://www.indiaenews.com/business/20071111/79939.htm has a few details. Worth a read if you care about plants, since you eat 'em.