National Saffron Mission has started showing results

SRINAGAR: Implementation of National Mission on Saffron has started showing results with the area brought under rejuvenation and replanting by producing flowers in the first year itself.
This was said by saffron growers who participated in replanting of corms under the Mission in current year during the interaction with Director Agriculture, Kashmir Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone who inspected today different areas of Pampore belt namely Konibal, Chandhara, Bahwot, Ladhu, Khrew, Galandhar, etc During the inspection, he receiveds the first hand information about the impact of National Mission on Saffron during the interaction.
The saffron growers expressed satisfaction about the implementation of Saffron mission and expressed their desire for greater participation from next year in replanting season. It was observed that this year Saffron crop is expected to be much higher than last two years.
Director also visited seed multiplication farm Allowpora in Shopian District which is developed for Saffron Corm Multiplication under National Mission of Saffron. An area of 19 hectares has been brought under Saffron cultivation in the farm. Harvesting of Saffron Flowers is in full swing in the farm. Under National Saffron Mission 350 hectares of land have been brought under rejuvenation/replanting in Pulwama, Srinagar and District Budgam during current year, the director said.
Dr. lone said that the Mission envisaged to cover 3700 hectare in the four years of implementation. Under the Mission Saffron growers are being provided incentives amounting to Rs 25,000/= Per Kanal for grading of corms, treatment of seed corms, land preparation, relaying of saffron corms etc. Besides weeders and hot air dryers are being provided on 50% subsidy. Vermin compost units are being provided with assistance of Rs 30,000/- Per unit, he added.