Jammu, July 26: Famous across the world for saffron with high-grade crocin, picrocin and safranal contents, Kashmir will now have saffron parks and weather stations for international grading, packing and quality control.
 The National Horticultural Board (NHB) has decided to kick-start the process of the project. “We have invited proposals from consultants, firms and companies with requisite experience and expertise for taking up tasks of setting up of the saffron park-common facility centre”, the NHB Managing Director, Vijay Kumar told PTI.
 Besides the centre, which will be engaged in sorting, grading, packing, quality control & testing and e-auction, as many as five weather stations would be set up for growing good quality of saffron in Kashmir, he said.
 The saffron Park will come up in Pampore belt of Pulwama district in South Kashmir, he said adding that the work is expected to begin with construction of prefab structures in September this year.
 The finalisation of tenders is being done and contract would be issued soon, he said.
 Besides this, five weather Stations for saffron would also come in J&K at districts Pulwama (two), Budgam, Srinagar and Kishtiwar (One each). The project has been envisaged for the revival of the saffron sector in Kishtwar.
 The establishment of saffron parks will have a positive impact on export of saffron from the country, he said adding it will also improve the quality of Saffron marketed both in domestic and export market.
 Currently J&K produces 9-10 metric tonnes (MTs) of saffron and is likely to go upto 30 MT by the end of 12th plan period, Kumar said. The project, which cost around Rs 24 crore will be completed in a period of one year, he said.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 26 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 26 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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