PAMPORE: Prinicpal Secretary, Agriculture Production Department Naveen Kumar Chowdhary (IAS) visited India International Kashmir Saffron Trade Centre at Dussu Pampore. He was accompanied by Director Agriculture Kashmir Altaf Aijaz Andrabi, Joint Director Agriculture Extension Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal and other officers of the department.
During his visit, Prinicpal Secretary visited different sections of the IIKSTC and was briefed by the Director Agriculture about various facilities for preserving, grading, processing and marketing of saffron.
A detailed interaction session with the officers of the centre was held.
Regarding India International Saffron Trade center Naveen Kumar said that this is one of the best in Asian sub continent and the facilities being provided to the saffron growers is all set to provide Cutting-edge technology to revive Saffron industry. He directed the officers to organize training/ awareness camps among the saffron growers at IIKSTC so that they are fully acquainted with the latest market trends nationally and internationally.
During the interaction with the representatives of Saffron growers Naveen Kumar assured them that their genuine demands and issues will be addressed at an earliest. He said, “This IIKSTC establishment will play as a game changer in reviving the traditional Saffron sector. He said that this centre will boost the economy of this area as your saffron will be sold, graded and imported to various countries from this platform only. It will be sealed and certified here, which will be a trademark for Kashmiri saffron.”
Director Agriculture Kashmir during the visit said that that every possible support and technical expertise to the saffron growers will be provided by the department of agriculture.
Pertinent to mention that National Saffron Mission Project worth Rs. 400 crores has been sanctioned by Government of India for revival of saffron crop in J&K, which was started in the year 2010 and setting up of IIKSTC is one of the important component of National Saffron Mission.

KR Desk