District Development Commissioner Pulwama today convened a meeting to review progress and challenges in the effective implementation of National Saffron Mission (NSM).Chief Agriculture Officer Pulwama, Executive Engineer MED Anantnag, Srinagar, District Agriculture Officer Pulwama, Tehsildars of Pampore, Kakapora and Awantipora were also present in the meeting.It was given out that National Mission on Saffron has been sanctioned by the Centre at a total cost of Rs 372.18 crore. The Mission aimed at Economic Revival of Saffron Sector in the State is proposed to be completed within a period of 4 years; while as 86 percent of the total funding is being spent in district Pulwama on rejuvenation, strength of irrigation system, enhancing product quality, mechanization, providing infrastructure facility, establishment of quality testing and market facilities.
The meeting was informed that the total saffron land in the district is 3200 hectare and till date, 1690.5 hectares have been rejuvenated and Rs 78.92 crore were incurred on it, so far.It was given out that 361 weeders and 525 vermicompost units have been distributed in Pulwama district.While reviewing the Mission’s progress, the DDC was informed that out of total 109 targeted tube wells, 94 tube wells have been constructed, so far, for sprinkler irrigation system.The DDC directed the Executing Agencies, Mechanical Engineering Department to speed up work on all ongoing Sprinkler Irrigation Bore Wells carried out under the Mission. He also asked the concerned Executing Agencies to complete construction work on all allotted Sprinkler Irrigation Bore Wells at the earliest so that its benefit reach to the intended target.