Srinagar: National Conference MP from Anantnag on Tuesday visited spice park at Dusso, Pampore to have an on spot assessment of the working of processing and marketing centre set up for the benefit of saffron growers.
He was taken by the project officer and team of experts to different sections of the facility to get acquainted with different stages of processing, GI tagging and marketing techniques employed to help growers get the maximum price for their produce.
While appreciating the mode, manner and commitment with the which the facility was being run, Masoodi lamented that it would practically be of little benefit because failure of the other two components namely sprinkle irrigation, rejuvenation and resultant low production. He was informed that as against 20 kgs processed last year, five times the quantity was expected to be processed at the Centre in the current season.
The saffron growers assembled on spot informed the MP that none of the 111 bore wells dug at a huge cost is operational and resultantly there was no pre harvest sprinkle/ drip irrigation necessary for good crop.
The failure of the administration to make payments to the caretakers of bore well-had worsened the situationThe rejuvenation component like had failed to yield any results and instead of expanding the area under saffron cultivation it shrinking fast, Masoodi asked the administration to make auditing reappraisal of the saffron mission, identify problem areas and take corrective measures.He has also demanded compensation to the small saffron growers a d payment of outstanding amount to the Caretakers of bore wells.
