Srinagar,November 25 (Scoop News) – J&K Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir has said that government contemplates to replant the saffron seed corms from the entire area of 3700 hectares in the first phase during next three years of the implementation of the saffron project for which 75 percent cost of the rejuvenation will be borne by the government and 25 percent by the growers. He said the government will establish one deep bore well for irrigation for every 30 hectares of land.
The Minister further said that the government will establish the spice park at Pampore at the estimated cost of Rs. 16 crore to facilitate the efficient marketing to each individual grower. He said that in all Rs. 273 crore will be spent for the development of Saffron areas during the next three years.
The Minister was addressing a National seminar on “Technological Innovations in Saffron” sponsored by National Horticulture Board Gurgaon, Haryana and organised by SKUAST at SKICC today. The Minister of State for Agriculture, Javaid Ahmad Dar was also present on the occasion. He also addressed on the occasion. The Ministers also released ‘Souvenir and Abstract’ on saffron cultivation on the occasion.
The Minister urged the saffron growers to maintain close coordination with the scientists of Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agriculture and Science and Technology (SKUAST) and avail benefits of the research work which would help growers produce standard saffron. He said SKUAST specialists should conduct training camps in this behalf in various areas of the valley.
Mir said the machinery and other accessories would be provided to the saffron growers on 50 percent subsidy besides sprinkle sets on the same rate of subsidy. The Minister said that government has already initiated several measures to infuse new blood in the saffron industry and in this behalf National Saffron Mission has been implemented in the state.
The Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Prof. Tej Pratap, Director Research, Dr. A.R. Trag, Dr. F.N. Nehvi, Director Agriculture, Abdul Majid Mian besides other scientists and a large number of students were present on the occasion.