‘Saffron golden heritage of Kashmir’s agri’

SRINAGAR: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Shri Javid Ahmed Dar, today chaired a high-level meeting at Civil Secretariat here to review and deliberate upon issues confronting saffron cultivation in Kashmir valley.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Shailendra Kumar; Director Agriculture Kashmir, Sartaj Ahmad Shah; Chief Engineer, Mechanical and Hospital Engineering Department, Kashmir, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir, Chief Warden, Wildlife Department, Kashmir, Director Horticulture Kashmir, Director Horticulture (P&M), Director Research SKUAST-K, Chief Agriculture Officer Pulwama, and representatives of the Saffron Growers Association.

Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Basharat Qayoom, also attended the meeting through video conferencing.

Speaking during the meeting, Javid Dar reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to safeguard and promote Kashmir’s world-famous saffron crop. He termed saffron as ‘golden heritage of Kashmir’s agriculture’ and assured that full support will be extended to growers for improving productivity, quality, and market linkage.

“Our saffron is not just a crop but a global brand of Kashmir’s identity. The Government is committed to its protection, promotion, and prosperity,” the Minister stated.

Additional Chief Secretary, Shailendra Kumar, during the meeting, emphasized on the need to enhance both area and quality of saffron cultivation, adding that the government is providing substantial subsidies under irrigation and related schemes to support saffron growers.