Agri Deptt officers claim DPR prepared under HADP
*Drastic decline in production during 2024-25 FY
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Feb 18: Unbelievable it may sound but it is a fact that development of Saffron Park at Kishtwar, which was announced over half a decade back, has yet not become reality mainly because of lack of interest from all the concerned quarters. Moreover, the production of saffron in Kishtwar district has witnessed sharp decline during the Financial Year 2024-25 and number of people who grow world’s expensive spice has not increased up to the desired level.
Official sources told Excelsior that proposal about establishment of Saffron Park at Kishtwar was mooted several years back in order to improve the overall production of saffron, enhance its quality and research and extension capability. However, the formal announcement in this regard was made by the then Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare while inaugurating Kissan Mela-cum-Exhibition at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir on July 4, 2017.
It was stated by the Minister that Saffron Park at Kishtwar will be equipped with quality testing lab, export based activities and e-auction facility centre and it will be developed under National Saffron Mission (NSM) to increase saffron production.
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However, the Saffron Park at Kishtwar could not be developed during the period of National Saffron Mission mainly because of lack of interest from the concerned quarters and political interference over selection of appropriate site for the same, sources said while disclosing that even today no time-frame can be specified for the establishment of Saffron Park although Agriculture Department is claiming that project will now be taken up under Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP),
“We have prepared Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Saffron Park at a cost of Rs 13 crore and funds will be provided by the Union Territory Government”, an officer of the Agriculture Production Department said when contacted. He admitted that cost of the project has gone up by some crores of rupees mainly because of delay in completion of formalities under National Saffron Mission.
“Had utmost seriousness been shown in timely preparation of DPR and its submission to the Union Government the funds would have been sanctioned and work started on ground much earlier”, he further said, adding “now Saffron Park will be developed on around 20 kanals out of 271 kanals of land already earmarked for Saffron Development Farm”.
However, the officer could not specify any time-frame for start of work on Saffron Park for which funds are required to be announced and released by the Government under HADP soon after the approval of Detailed Project Report.
It is pertinent to mention here that Saffron Development Farm primarily aims to increase the quality and quantity of saffron production by improving cultivation techniques, enhancing soil health, optimizing irrigation systems, educating farmers on modern practices and ensuring proper post-harvest handling to achieve high-quality saffron yields while as Saffron Park will help in improving processing and marketing of Saffron.
Meanwhile, Saffron Production has witnessed sharp decline in Kishtwar during the current Financial Year-2024-25. “Generally, annual production remains between 8 to 9 quintals every year but this year due to drought like situation the production has declined to merely 3 quintals”, sources informed.
“Even the number of people who grow Saffron has not increased up to the desired level and presently less than 5000 persons are involved in the cultivation of the same”, they further said, adding “had the Saffron Park been developed the farmers would have been immensely benefited in different ways”.
It is worthwhile to mention here that Kishtwar saffron has already been given Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Geographical Indications Registry. The spice, which is grown only in some parts of Kishtwar district in whole of Jammu province, is a cultural heritage that represents freshness and purity.
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