Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura Thursday directed the officers of Agriculture Production Department to come with a comprehensive proposal for import of machinery like planters and diggers to increase the efficiency of saffron corms and submit the same to the concerned quarters for sanction.This instruction was given by the Minister in a meeting convened to review the physical and financial achievements registered under National Saffron Mission (NSM) project here today.MLA Pampore, Mir Zahoor Ahmed was also present in thew meeting.Detailed discussion was held on transfer of technology, irrigation facilities, stopping of illegal construction on saffron land, mechanization status and conduct of survey.It was decided in the meeting that Additional District Development Commissioners of Pulwama, Srinagar, Budgam and Kishtwar will conduct special inquiry about the implementation of NSM costing Rs. 400.10 Crore on ground level and working of the officers under the project. They were asked to submit their report within one month.The Minister asked the officers to achieve the targets in full and complete the Saffron Mission in a time bound manner. He directed the concerned to ensure distribution of quality corms among the farmers and ensure corm size from 6 to 8 grams.
Creation of irrigation facility was also discussed and it was informed that Spice Park at a cost of Rs. 23 crore is under execution at Dasu village at Pampore.
Mr. Hanjura directed the executing agency National Horticulture Board (NHB) to speed up the pace of work and complete it within stipulated time frame.It was informed that 1959.685 hectares of traditional saffron land has been rejuvenated and replanted so far against the target of 3715 hectares benefiting 19270 farmers of Kashmir Division.Mr. Hanjura directed the Mechanical Department to speed up the pace of work on all ongoing irrigation pumps and complete them in a time frame.The Minister directed the concerned to stop constructions on saffron land immediately and asked them to take strong action against the violators.
The Minister asked the agriculture department to involve progressive farmers while framing any project for the benefit of the farmers.MLA Pampore also addressed the meeting and highlighted the importance of Saffron mission project. He suggested for issuance of on the spot certificate among the saffron farmers at the time of rejuvenation to ease out payment procedure. He also demanded establishment of Agriculture office at Pampore.Commissioner Secretary Agriculture Production Department, Mr. M. A. Bukhari, Director Agriculture Kashmir, Mr. Altaf Ahmed Andrabi, Director Agriculture Jammu, Dr. Jamwal, Chief Agriculture officers of Srinagar, Budgam, Pulwama and Kishtwar representative from National Horticulture Board and SKUAST including Dr. Nahvi and few farmers related to saffron mission were present in the meeting.