Srinagar: Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura and Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Animal and Sheep Husbandry Mir Zahoor Ahmad Saturday had an extensive tour of Saffron fields in Pampore and took stock of various ongoing works under Saffron Mission.
The ministers also visited Spice Park at Dusoo Pampore had a review meeting with senior officers working under NSM.
The Ministers visited Munpora, Latpora, Dusoo and several other villages and took stock of sprinkles being constructed under the NSM.
The ministers visited Spice Park Dusoo, where they had a review meeting with officers of the Saffron Mission and had interacted with saffron growers.
Hanjura on the occasion said the Spice Park would be equipped with hi-tech machinery for processing, drying, grading, and packing of saffron. Besides, the park would be equipped with quality control laboratory, e-auction centre, garbage and waste utilization among other latest facilities for saffron growers.
Hanjura said the objective of establishing the park is to revive the saffron cultivation on modern lines by providing the farmers with latest technology to increase their income.
Highlighting the importance of the crop, the Minister said saffron is the trademark of Kashmiri culture and heritage and collective efforts are needed to preserve it.
Hanjura said the successful beginning of implementation of saffron mission would definitely show enthusiasm in rejuvenation of saffron culture.
Hanjura on the occasion directed the concerned departments to complete the digging work of 124 wells by 31 December this year.
On the occasion, Mir Zahoor Ahmad said the project is nearing to its completion and is expected to overcome irrigation facilities to Saffron fields.
He said 99 percent of people of his constituency are directly or indirectly related to Saffron production and National saffron mission is a hope for them to regain its old glory.
Mir Zahoor also said aim of introducing centrally funded Saffron Mission in the state was to have a quality control and e-marketing facilities for saffron growers at their doorstep.
On the occasion, a large number of Saffron growers also had an interaction with the Ministers and put forth their demands and grievances. The ministers assured them that their genuine demands would be resolved on priority bases.
Principal Secretary Agriculture Production Sundeep Kumar Naik, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Ghulam Mohammad Dar, Director Agriculture Kashmir Altaf Ajaz Andrabi and other officials of the department were present.
