Commissioner Secretary Agriculture Production Department, Mohammad Afzal Bhat and Director Agriculture Kashmir, Syed Altaf Aijaz Andrabi today inspected ongoing works at state-of-art Pampore Saffron Park. The park is being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 37 crore.While reviewing the progress of finishing work on the ambitious project, the Commissioner Secretary impressed upon the officers to make certain specification-based modifications in certain sections of the Park. He said that the local saffron grower community had a vast experience in this field therefore, these local farmers should be taken on board during all the procedural activities.He also directed the concerned officers and agencies to complete the finishing works including landscaping of surroundings within the stipulated time. He called upon the concerned officers, engineers and representatives of different executing agencies including National Horticulture Board to work in close coordination in order to complete the finishing work of the park at an earliest.Both the Secretary and Director Agriculture were informed that the finishing works on different sections of the park is in full swing and is nearing its completion. It was said that the park would be handed over to the department and will be thrown open for public soon.
Pertinently, the saffron park after its commissioning will not only revive the saffron sector in the valley, but it will add new dimensions in terms of cultivation, production and marketing of saffron. E-marketing and e-auction facilities will also be provided to the growers so that they can sell their produce on an international platform with a vast number of market options available.Earlier, the Commissioner Secretary APD and Director Agriculture Kashmir visited all the sections of Spice Park, where they were briefed by the concerned officers about the utilities and specifications of different sections of the park.Officers of executing agencies, representatives of National Horticulture Board and other senior officers of the department were present on the occasion.