PAMPORE: Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Kashmir Nazir Ahmad Ganaie told Kashmir Reader that the varsity is working on inter cropping module on saffron land to increase magnitude of returns for saffron growers.
This he said during this visit to varasity’s saffron research centre at Dussu in Pampore area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
The vice chancellor was accompanied by Director Extension Dr Dil Mohammad Maqdoomi, Director Research Dr Sarfraz Ahmad, Director Planing Dr Haroon, progressive farmer and member of Kisan advisory board Irshad Ahmad Dar and other officials.
The vice Chancellor SKUAST-K Nazir Ahmad Ganaie also held a meeting with Officials and staff.
The meeting was also held by progressive farmer and member of Kisan advisory board Irshad Ahmad Dar and other formers.
” The saffron research station of SKUAST at Dusoo Pampore is important for improving saffron heritage in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, adding that for past few decades there was a decrease in saffron production.
He added that the focus of the research centre is to increase production of saffron and returns to farmers.
” The university has released a new variety of saffron, the Shalimar saffron 1,” he said, adding that the production of this variety 26 percent more than the variety grown by farmers.
He told Kashmir Reader that the station also did intercropping of Kalazeera ( Black Cumin) with saffron.
” it is estimated that one kanal of land will return rupees 90 thousand against rupees 40 thousand only with saffron,” he said, adding that they aim at reviving almond cultivation on saffron land so that returns to farmer per kanal should be around rupees two lakh.
He also said that they have standardised the technique of indoor saffron cultivation and
the experiments are on to improve indoor cultivation.
He said that if the University will succeed in improving the indoor cultivation then they will be able to introduce saffron cultivation in Himachal Pradesh, Utra Khand and other North East states.
Later , vice Chancellor SKUAST-K Nazir Ahmad Ganaie along with team visited India International Kashmir Saffron Trade Centre ( IIKSTC ) Dusoo Pampore where he met IIKSTC officials.

BILAL HABIB