Srinagar, May 20: Government has formulated a massive Rs 375 crore plan for the development and revival of saffron cultivation in the state.
The plan is expected to be submitted to the Prime minister, Dr Manmohan singh when he visits to the state.  
The Plan has been formulated by a committee headed by Vice Chancellor SKUAST(K) , Prof Anwar Alam and comprised by Vice Chancellor SKUAST(J), Director Agriculture , Kashmir, Jammu, Dr. F.A Nehive SKUAST(K) and Dr. V. K. Razdan SKUAST(J).
The committee presented the plan to the Minister for Agriculture,   Ghulam Hassan Mir here today in a high level meeting for reviving the Saffron Industry in the state.
Principal Secretary,   Iqbal Khanday, Director Agriculture Kashmir,   Abdul Majeed , Dr. F.A Nehive SKUAST(K) and  delegation Saffron growers led by Muhammad Anwar Bhat were present in the meeting.
It may be recalled here, the Minister has constituted the above committee on 20 April, 2010 to suggest measures for the revival and expansion of saffron cultivation in the state.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that Government intends to brand saffron as a National Product on the lines of coconut and chestnut. He said saffron has the potential of not only reviving the State’s economy but also giving thrust on the national economy as well, as, its cultivation would reduce the import dependence of this crop thereby saving huge foreign exchange.
The plan submitted to the minister suggests Area expansion, Creation of irrigation facilities, Mechanisation, increase of crop production and development of technology. Under the plan more and more feasible area for Saffron cultivation of the valley and some parts of erstwhile Doda district would be covered    to increase its production, the Minister said
To boost the saffron industry, The Minister directed Principal Secretary Agriculture to move a proposal for setting up of Saffron Mandi in valley with latest facilities for the benefit of growers. He said that it helps to provide better marketing facilities to the saffron crop.
Mir said that a proposal be moved that the JK Agro Industries corporation would be assigned a job of marketing of the product at national and international level resulting to curb the adulteration of the crop.
Referring for curbing its Adulteration totally, the Minister said a stringent law has come in force in the state passed by the state legislature in March 2010 to take action against those who are involved in this trade. He said the Government would come heavily on these adulaters and assured the growers that there would no compromise in this regard.
Mir said that Government has already initiated a massive irrigation programme under various agriculture irrigation schemes to provide irrigation facilities to the saffron growers and called upon them to take the benefit of these schemes. He said that Irrigation Department has already been asked to formulate a separate project report for the same to boost the cultivation of the saffron in a big way.
Reiterating the Government’s resolve for the blanket ban on diversifying the saffron land, the Minister said that Government has already passed clear direction to all concerned that there is a blanket ban on diversifying the saffron land for any proposes. He said who so would be involved in this heinous crime would be punished as per the law.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 20 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 20 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 21 May 2010 00:00:00 IST