Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 4: In order to review the flagship programme National Mission on Saffron Project, Special Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation, Government of India, Anup Kumar Thakur visited various traditional areas of saffron of Pampore. He said that the objective of National Mission on Saffron is to increase production and productivity, maintaining quality and improving marketing facilities of Saffron.
While inspecting Dusoo, the Special Secretary was informed that modern Spice Park with quality control lab is coming up at an estimated cost of Rs. 22 crore, which is aimed at developing organized marketing by way of quality based pricing of saffron and eliminating middlemanship through encouraging direct transactions between growers, traders, exporters and industrial agencies.
During interaction with saffron growers, Mr. Thakur informed that construction work of Spice Park will be taken up by the National Horticulture Board immediately. He asked saffron growers to avail benefits of National Mission on Saffron optimally for improving their socio economy. He directed officers and officials of the department to work with farmers to transfer technology to achieve highest production limits of saffron.
Director Agriculture Kashmir, Mushtaq Peerzada while apprising the Special Secretary that during the year 2011 and 2012, 1317 hectares of land have been brought under rejuvenation for which incentive worth Rs. 66.64 crore were provided to the farmers, besides 613 Vermi Com.
Later on, the Special Secretary interacted with the growers at EDI Sempora Pampore. The growers apprised him of their concern over marketing of saffron. The visiting dignitary assured them that Saffron Park is suitable solution to their marketing problem. Saffron growers appreciated the role of Agriculture Department for successful implementation of Mission at ground level.
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