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| Ambitious Rs 375-crore saffron development plan under execution | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
Jammu, Sept 9: The Jammu and Kashmir Government expects major increase in annual safforn production after the Rs.375 crore development plan was implemented.According to the Minister for Agriculture,G.H.Mir,"Prime Minister,Manmohan Singh,has been generous in sanctioning the Rs.375 crores for the development of saffron cultivation.
Mir said that a committee of experts,comprising vicechancellors of two Agricultural universities and other scientists had formulated the plan which had been submitted to the Prime Minister for sanction.Mir stated that the centre would contribute Rs.289 crores out of Rs.375 crores on the project.He said that the remaining amount would be utilised on providing 50 per cent subsidy on purchase of equipment needed for saffron cultivation.
Mir said that the bulk of the funds would be spent on improvement in irrigation facilities and on scientific ways of cultivation. In reply to a question Mir said that as far as increasing the area under saffron the scheme would be t aken in hand at a later stage."First of all we have to ensure consolidation of the existing area under saffron so that the state is able to produce quality saffron."
At present over 6,000 to 8000 kgs are the annual saffron production.The cultivators feel dismayed over drop in production but they believe that sudden hike in the saffron prices during the last 15 years would allow them to make up for the drop in production.Mir seems to be keen to ensure facilities to the growers so that the annual production of saffron touched over 10,000 kgs.
Official reports said that the Government continues to explore better market potential for Kashmiri saffron which is considered one of the best stuff in the world.According to these reports,the PCC Chief,Saif-ud-Din Soz,has been in touch with various relgious places in the south so that the saffrom cultivators could market their produce direct to those temples.In this connection Soz has been in touch with the authorities of the world famous temple at Triputi where the annual consumption of saffron has been on the higher side.
Soz and others believe that once there is a direct link between Triputi temple authorities and the saffrom growers the role of the middlemen would be sidelined.In the meantime Mir has asked his Department experts and other agencies to monitor the activities of those indulging in adultration of saffron.He said the outer leaves and even the grass growing round the saffron plants were being dyed to give it a saffron like look which gives bad name to Kashmiri saffron.He has warned those indulging in adultr ation that severe action will be taken against them. |
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