PAMPORE: Director Agriculture Kashmir Syed Aijaz Altaf Andrabi on Thursday launched an online portal for auctioning of Kashmir saffron here at India International Kashmir Trade Centre in Dusoo area of Saffron town Pampore .
Two samples of the GI tagged Kashmir were auctioned online through the portal www.gikashmirsaffron.com.
“It is a historic day for the saffron industry in Kashmir. Today through e -marketing we traded two samples of saffron, one at the rate of rupees 227 per gram and other at rupees 185 per gram. The bidders bought it and payment was done instantly,” the Director said, adding that exploitation of farmers by intermediaries will end.
“The pricing is slow but it will increase as we open to the international market,” he told Kashmir Reader.
Elaborating the importance of the e- auctioning the director said the sole aim of providing this type of platform to the buyers is to have access to quality “Kashmir Saffron”.
The Director said e- auctioning will provide an efficient platform to the saffron growers for getting optimum returns of their yield which will ultimately boost the economy of this area without the interference of intermediaries.
He reiterated the commitment of the government to restore the pristine glory of the Kashmir saffron which was otherwise lost due to interference of intermediaries. He further added that the buyers will be assured that the saffron purchased through this platform will be tested, certified and quality Produce.
Director congratulated the saffron growers and dedicated the e auction platform to them.
Director stressed upon the officers involved with e auctioning to conduct awareness among key businessmen, market linkage experts, in order to acquaint them regarding the various facilities being provided at IIKSTC especially e- auction market.
Andrabi requested Saffron Growers of Kashmir valley and Buyers across India to register themselves as SELLERS and BUYERS for E- Trading on the E- Auction portal www.gikashmirsaffron.com so that hassle free E-Trading between registered Growers and registered Buyers is ensured.
Saffron growers on the occasion expressed their satisfaction and appreciated the department for creating such a unique state of art post harvest and marketing facility under one roof. They said this centre will definitely help in reviving the saffron industry in a long way in generating an economic impact for the stabilization, empowerment and economic empowerment as well.
Later Director distributed the buyers and grower registration certificates.
“We are very happy to witness good prices for two samples of saffron sold here,” Abdul Majeed Wani , president all saffron growers association said, adding that it will ensure that saffron sold through this platform is real Kashmiri saffron and not adulterated saffron.

BILAL HABIB