KL Report
SRINAGAR
Minister for agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir Wednesday said that government is always committed to safeguard the interests of consumers as well as producers by making use of latest technology and expertise of scientists during the process of saffron cultivating in Kashmir.
As per a statement the Minister was addressing a seminar on “Kong-Posh Fight Against Counterfeiting and Smuggling,” organised by FICCI Cascade Space Communication at SKICC today.
Stressing for observing great care and precaution during Post Harvest Management of saffron, Mir said that government is producing 8 gm seed through Tissue Culture in collaboration with SKUAST-K. He said scientists work hard to provide hi-tech facilities besides testing lab to farmers and packing facility at Konibal free of cost.
The Minster appealed farmers to rise to the occasion, maintain quality and put in sincere efforts to boost saffron crop, keeping in view the competitors of Spain and Iran where saffron is grown on a large scale.
Appreciating FICCI for organising the seminar, Mir asked farmers to set up their cooperative for making collective efforts in producing quality saffron crop. He also asked them to set up their publicity wing for bringing awareness among masses not only at state or national level but also globally.
Expressing his strong concern over the ungrateful attitude of a section of farmers towards the efforts of government Mir said that central, and state government’s only objective is to bring prosperity among the farmers by extending them financial as well as technical support in propagation of quality saffron crop.
Prof. & Head Division of PHT SKUAST (K) Shalimar, Dr HR Naik through a power point presentation educated farmers about Post Harvest Management and Value Addition Strategies in saffron processing on the occasion.
Advisor FICCI CASADE P.C. Jha, CEO Space Communication, Dr. Amit Wanchoo, Economist, Salman Soz, Gen. Secy. All Saffron Growers Association, Ab. Majid Wani and Tour and Travel Players addressed the function.
On this occasion, genuine and progressive farmers were awarded with trophies while as Travel and Tour Operator were also felicitated for their strenuous efforts in promotion of tourism in the State.
