Jammu, Apr 19: Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir has asked the SKUAST and Agriculture Department to hold farmers’ awareness camps for the development of Saffron contribution in the State.
 Chairing a meeting of officers and experts related with saffron, the Minister asked them to identify new cultivation spots of saffron in the Jammu province, for which he asked the department to prepare a comprehensive plan.
 The meeting, according to an official statement, decided to develop agriculture farm at Beerwar, Kishtwar, as Model Seed Production Farm for Saffron.
 The meeting also decided constitution of a committee headed by Dr. K. S. Rism, Director Extension SKUAST to identify new areas for saffron cultivation and indicate infrastructure requirements for the same. The committee has been asked to submit its report by July 15, 2010.
 Addressing the meeting, the Minister directed the department to identify the locations for installation of deep bore wells, water harvesting tanks and lift-irrigation sites. He also directed the department to procure saffron seeds from Pampore, Kashmir and supply to the farmers after proper medicinal treatment.
 Mir advised the SKUAST to contact the respective Deputy Commissioners for land allocation for setting up of Krishi Vigyan Kenderas in Kishtwar, Ramban and Udhampur districts. He said these Deputy Commissioners have already been directed to identify the land for the purpose.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST