J&K earmarks Rs 3.22cr for saffron development in Kishtwar

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir government has earmarked Rs 3.22 crores for economic revival of saffron in mountainous Kishtiwar district in Jammu region during current financial year.

An amount of Rs 322.90 lakh has been earmarked for economic revival of the saffron sector in Kishtwar district during current financial year, Minister for Agriculture G H Mir said.

Mir, who conducted a tour to Kishtwar's saffron growing areas including the saffron development farm at Berwar and Poochal, said "an area of 20 hectares is envisaged for rejuvenation through provision of quality planting material".

He said the Saffron Development Farm at Berwar is proposed to be covered to the extent of eight hectares.

Besides, all possible steps will be taken to meet the water requirement for the saffron crop at its critical growth stages to facilitate productivity enhancement to more than five kgs per hectares as against the existing productivity of less than three kgs per hectare, he said.

He directed the agriculture officers to prevent any encroachment or construction on the saffron land and bring every such instance to the notice of concerned district authorities and follow up same vigorously to ensure that saffron land is not converted to non-agricultural purposes.

He also mentioned the interventions such as demonstration on improved packages of practises, provision of weeders, driers, training programme to take care of pre and post harvest management of saffron under the mission.

The Minister highlighted various initiatives taken by the department to improve the farming practises and the living standard of the farmers of this resourceful but under developed part of the state.

He added that although the town and surrounding villages of Kishtwar were famous for quality saffron production, the higher hills had a great potential for organic production of vegetables and other crops, particularly when there is a scarcity of such items in the hot plains.