Adopt latest technology for revival of Saffron industry: Mir asks growers

PAMPORE, NOVEMBER 02:- Minister for Agriculture, Mr Ghulam Hassan Mir Wednesday asked the saffron growers to adopt the latest technology already envisaged under National Saffron Mission for revival pristine glory of saffron industry in J&K.
Minister was addressing the saffron growers at a cheque distribution function at Glandar Pampore this morning. The cheques worth Rs. 9.50 crore have been distributed among those saffron growers were involved in replanting of saffron corms in district Pulwama, Budgam and Srinagar during this season under the mission.
Minster of State for Agriculture, Mr. Javid Ahmad Dar, Member Parliament, G.N. Ratanpuri, MLA Pampore, Mr. Zahoor Ahmad Mir, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST (K), Dr. Tej Pratap, Director Agriculture, Kashmir, Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone and Secretary, Saffron Growers Association also spoke on the occasion.
Director Central Silk Board, Dr. Mohammad Ashraf, Director Horticulture, Mr. Ghulam Hassan Shah, Director Command Area Development, Mr. Tariq Ahmad, Director Research Development SKUAST (K), Mr. Shafiq Ahmad Wani, Director Extension SKUAST (K), Dr. Afifa Kamili and other senior officers of Agriculture department were present on the occasion.
Appreciating the efforts of Agriculture department in implementing National Saffron Mission, the Minister said that the objective of the mission is to revive the saffron cultivation on modern lines by way of providing the farmers latest technological knowhow, incentives for adopting mechanization, irrigation and setting up off a spice park with the aim for checking of quality control and on line marketing facilities to the growers at their door step. He stressed upon the growers to come forward and take the benefits of this ambitious mission under which Rs. 373 crore are being spent upto 2014.
Saying that the saffron is the trademark of Kashmiri culture and heritage, Mr. Mir said that it is the efforts of the present coalition government that such a comprehensive project has been approved under central funding and it is our obligation to implement the people friendly project in letter and sprit at the ground level. He called upon the farmers and concerned department for close coordination and cooperation for the same.
Recalling the days when the growers of the area were asking the government to lift the ban on sale of saffron land, the Minister said with the successful beginning of implementation of saffron mission, the growers are now showing enthusiasm in rejuvenation of saffron corms and adopting of mechanization in saffron cultivation. He said that our thrust area is to enhance the quality production of saffron per hectare from 2.5 kg to 12 kgs by introducing latest technology adopted by Spain and Iran under the mission.
Mr. Mir said that without the cooperation of growers, the objective of the research scientists of SKUAST (K) particularly Dr. Nehvi who formulated the project with consonance of local conditions will not yield fruitful results. He asked the growers to fully adopt the procedures of the mission in letter and spirit for which the department is providing incentives on various programmes. He said that the work on 128 bore wells would be started soon and drip irrigation facility is being provided to the growers on individual level.
Hailing the personnel efforts of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh for lunching of saffron mission in J&K, the Minister said that with the approving of saffron mega project, the state is in a position to help the saffron growers for its revival. He said with the liberal funding of the centre the state is marching towards progress and prosperity.
For providing marketing facility to the growers, the Minister said that soon a Spice Park would be setup at an estimated cost of Rs. 22 crore under the mission at Galander Pampore in which growers would have quality control and e-marketing facilities at their door step.
Minister of state for Agriculture, Mr. Javid Ahmad Dar said that main thrust of the government is to facilitate the farmers to make them acquaint about the latest technology which is beneficial for enhancing the quality production. He asked the growers to avail the benefits of the mission and hoped that time is not far away when J&K will be again at the top of global level in producing quality saffron.