Union Agri Secy reviews pace of National Saffron Mission in JK

A day after the Centre announced a two-year extension in National Saffron Mission for Jammu and Kashmir, Union Agriculture Secretary Siraj Hussain today visited the saffron fields in Pampore to review the progress of the project.
Hussain interacted with Saffron growers who told him that there has been a substantial increase in the yield and the same has gone up to 4 kg per hectare, a spokesman said.
The Union Secretary also visited Saffron Research Centre Station SKUAST-K at Dassu here and was informed that research, processing, separation of stamen is carried out on scientific basis, he said.
Drying is carried out at faster rate in mechanical dryers and vacuum packing is done at the centre to improve the quality of saffron, the spokesperson said.

The Union Secretary was informed that 13 new varieties of high yielding saffron were developed at the centre by mutation and breeding, he said.
Hussain advised farmers that for marketing of saffron, the they should get connected with 'M-Kisan Portal' by registering their mobile numbers.

He emphasised the need for marketing the saffron through National Agriculture Market Scheme.
The Union Secretary also reviewed the work at Saffron Park at Dassu, which is being built at a cost of Rs 23 crore, where processing, grading, drying and quality control of Saffron will be done, the spokesman said.
Hussain directed the National Horticulture Board officials to complete the construction of Saffron Park within the targeted period.