Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir has stressed upon all the stakeholders of National Saffron Mission (NSM) to work with cohesion for successful implementation of all the components of the programme. He said the objective of the mission is to cultivate saffron on modern agri-techniques to produce quality production, besides providing better market linkage to the growers.The Minister said this while reviewing the implementation progress Of National Saffron Mission in the state here today. Minister of State for Agriculture, Mr. Nazir Ahmad Gurezi and MLA Pampore, Mr Zahoor Ahamad were also present in the meeting.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Agriculture, Dr Asgar Samoon, Director Agriculture, Jammu, Mr. Ajay Khajuria, Director Agriculture Kashmir, Peerzada Mushtaq, Technical experts of National Saffron Mission from SKUAST(K), Prof. Nehvi, Superintendent Engineer Mechanical, and other senior officers of Agriculture were present in the meeting. The meeting was informed that about 1865 Ha have been rejuvenated out of 3715 Ha till date to benefit 12000 beneficiaries besides 22500 MT of vermin compost/fertilizer/ pesticides were distributed among the farmers.
The meeting was further informed that 613 vermi Compost units were also established on 50% subsidy basis under the programme in covered areas. Similarly 72 weeders and 163 hot air driers were also provided to the farmers on subsidy basis.Saying that irrigation facility to the farmers is the major component of the NSM, the Minister directed the Mechanical Department to complete 23 bore wells by end of the November and the remaining 6 shall be completed by December 15th this year. He was informed that till date 72 bore wells were completed out of 128.For establishment of Spice Park under the mission, the Minister was informed that DPR has been completed and the tendering progress of the project would be started soon.