Ambassador of India to Spain, Mr Vikram Misri and Ambassador of India to Cuba, Mr Tsewang Namgyal on Thursday met Chief Secretary, B R Sharma here at the Civil Secretariat.Ambassador Misri informed the Chief Secretary about Spanish expertise especially in the field of Saffron production and food processing technology that could benefit J&K.“Saffron grown in Kashmir is of much higher quality and valued for its color, taste and aroma, however, compared to Spain, here the per hectare yield is much low and that is where Spain can share its agricultural practices with J&K State” Mr Misri said and in this regard discussed with the Chief Secretary the possibility of sending a working level delegation this season comprising officers of Agricultural department, Agricultural Scientists and experts to Spain.
He said being the most expensive spice, if J&K can improve it’s per hectare yield; it can not only benefit the local Saffron growers but also save foreign exchange in Saffron imports. Ambassador Misri and Ambassador Namgyal also discussed about Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir and facilitating participation of Kashmiri Chefs and artisans in road shows organised in various countries of the world.Chief Secretary also welcomed the idea proposed by Ambassador Misri, of holding the next years ‘Annual Heads of Missions (HoMs) Conference’ in Kashmir which brings together all Indian Ambassadors and High Commissioners.“State Government will certainly welcome hosting such a conference in Kashmir and we will communicate with the Ministry of External Affairs in this regard” he said.