Srinagar: In order to take stock of the marketing of G.I Tagged Kashmiri saffron on national level, Director Agriculture Kashmir Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal Friday chaired a meeting at Agriculture Complex Lalmandi, Srinagar.
A delegation from National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) headed by Assistant Managing Director Pankaj Kumar Prasad, representatives of Saffron Growers Association, Technical Experts from India International Kashmir Saffron Trade Centre and senior officers of the Department were present in the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, Director Agriculture Kashmir reiterated the importance of preserving the unique identity of Kashmiri Saffron. He said that we are having a distinction of producing one of the best saffron in the world; therefore it is our individual/collective and moral responsibility to preserve this golden spice not only for a large number of families directly associated with the cultivation of saffron but for our generations to come. He asked the delegation from NAFED and other stakeholders to work in close coordination for the development and prosperity of the saffron farmers. He highlighted the importance of an effective marketing strategy on national and international level to serve the interests of this sector.
Director Agriculture said that the Department is committed to serve the interests of the farming community and when it comes to the saffron sector, the Department is working expeditiously to restore the past glory, and add modern global standards in the cultivation and marketing of this golden spice.
Chowdhary said that the Department is open to innovative ideas for the development and progress of the agriculture sector. He asked the participants to come up with feedback from all the stakeholders so that the economically sustainable ideas could be considered while making the plans and programs for the development of the saffron sector.
Besides others Joint Director Agriculture Extension Sheikh Shahid Iqbal, Joint Director Agriculture Marketing Mohammad Qasim Gani, Chief Technical Officer Sheikh Farhan, Chairman Saffron Growers Association Ab.Majeed Wani and other senior officers of the Department were present in the meeting.

KR Desk