Saffron with the GI tag mark specifying the geographical location of Kashmir having been launched in a super market of Dubai, UAE is a welcome news for saffron growers of Kashmir. The Kashmiri stall in the said market over there shall necessarily popularise the famous Kashmiri saffron. A delegation comprising farmers, growers and others connected with saffron, led by Principal Secretary Agricultural Production, which participated in UAE-India Food Security Summit 2020 would expectedly explore means to promote the sale of the saffron and tap the Gulf Market in a major way.
Attending such summits in a joint move by the representatives of the Government and the agricultural growers and traders would bring together the host and the guest country in exploring new vistas and marketing of each other’s produce and in the instant case, India had lot to offer especially in hydroponics farming as the country was fast marching to self reliance almost in every sphere. What the Government should do is exploring other areas like Kishtwar where saffron of equal quality and texture was grown and demanded not only GI tagging but marketing opportunities as well. In that, since saffron was grown in many parts in addition to traditional Pampore in Kashmir, Kishtwar saffron too could be branded and sold together with Kashmiri saffron or saffron from Jammu and Kashmir. Anyway, developments in promoting specialities of this UT’s agricultural products like the one under reference, was highly commendable.