J&K Government to bring over 3,000 hectares land under saffron cover

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir government has set its target to bring 3,715 hectare land under the Saffron Mission.

Minister of State Animal Husbandary, Nazir Gurezi informed the Legislative Council that total area targeted to be brought under Saffron Mission is 3,715 hectare, of which 1,867 hectare have been rejuvenated till date.

He was replying to a question by Sheikh Ghulam Rasool. The Minister said the Mission is underway and the target is to be achieved in phased manner, adding that the yield of the saffron in the area replanted two years back has increased from 2 kg per hectare to 4 kg per hectare.

Gurezi further informed that no report regarding showing of substandard corms has been received as the replanting was carried out under strict supervision of departmental functionaries.

"No new varieties of Saffron have been introduced and only local seed corm is taken for multiplication and introduction in different traditional areas which are suitable and acclimatized to local environment", he maintained.