Vohra for enhancing saffron production

             

                       Inaugurates 4th International Saffron Symposium at SKICC

23 October: In order to promote the production of saffron in the Valley, Governor NN Vohra Monday stressed that government should take all measures to promote its production.
“There is a need to enhance its (saffron) production speedily-which will not only help its growers and traders but will also generate revenue in the state,” Vohra said at the inaugural function of four day 4th International Saffron Symposium on ‘Advances in Saffron Biology, Technology and Trade’ at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre.
"Saffron is the world’s number one culinary spice and perhaps the costliest one and recent researches have shown that it has tremendous medicinal values."
According to the annual report published by department of agriculture total land under saffron cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir is 4,496 hectares.
The symposium has been organised by the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir in collaboration with the International Society for Horticulture Science, Belgium where many researchers, policy makers, traders and growers from various saffron producing countries are taking part in the symposium.
“There is urgent need for timely availability of quality corms, irrigation facilities, bringing more areas under saffron cultivation, quality control and marketing arrangements to secure the envisaged outcomes,” Said Vohra.
He added that saffron has a medicinal value and has an immense demand both in India and in other countries.
Commenting on the symposiums organised by SKAUST in collaboration with the International Society for Horticulture Science, Belgium, Vohra said that it has provided a very profitable opportunity to discuss saffron biology, technology, trade and other aspects of saffron cultivation.
Minister for agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir said that saffron occupies an important place in the agricultural scenario of the state, which is world famous for producing best quality saffron. He also referred to the measures, which have been taken for the revival of saffron sector in the State.
Javed Ahmad Dar, Minister of State for Horticulture and Agriculture, hoped that this Symposium would act as a catalyst for enhancing productivity and production of saffron thereby promoting the economic welfare of the growers.
Dr Tej Partap, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, in his address, gave a global scenario of the cultivation of saffron as well as relevant technologies and the status of its trade. He dwelt on the measures required for making available required technologies and providing improved planting material to the growers for maximizing production of saffron, which has been a high value crop for the farmers since ages.