Agri Dept holds GI saffron awareness event at IIKSTC, Pampore

ZT NEWS NETWORK

Pampore: A broader market awareness-cum-public-private engagement interaction was organized by the Agriculture Department Kashmir today with agri-entrepreneurs, branding experts, market linkage specialists and other important members civil society and saffron farmers at the India International Kashmir Saffron Trade Centre, Pampore today.

Director Agriculture, Kashmir, Altaf Aiajz Andrabi, who lead the interaction program, said that the main objective of conducting the interactive program was to acquaint the key business, market linkage experts and branding specialists regarding the various facilities created at the centre towards maximizing benefit to saffron farmers.

The visiting delegation comprised of M. Saleem Beg (Former Director General Tourism and present Convenor INTACH, J&K chapter), Arjimand Hussain Talib (Founder Ziraat Times), Dr G N Qasba (Former Mission Dorectyor Rural Livelihoods Mission), Dr Gazalla Amin (Entreprenuer), Manzoor Ahmed Wangnoo (Businessman and exporter), Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat (Chirman J&K RTI Movement), Izhan Mir (Entreprenuer), Abdul Majeed (President, Saffron Growers Association) among others.

The team visited the various section of the IIKTC and were briefed by the Director Agriculture about various facilities for preserving, grading, processing and marketing of Kashmir saffron.

Later, a detailed interaction session with the members of visiting delegation was held, wherein questions and views by the delegation were shared and addressed.

Regarding India International Saffron Trade center Director said that this was only such trading hub for saffron in the country and the Asian sub continent and the facilities being provided to the saffron growers at the centre are expected to provide cutting-edge technology to revive Saffron industry in Kashmir.

Director said “IIKSTC establishment will provide an efficient platform to the saffron growers for getting optimum returns of their yield.” He said that this centre will boost the economy of this area as Kashmir saffron will be graded and Exported to various countries from this platform only. It will be sealed and certified here, which will be a trademark for Kashmiri saffron.”

Pertinent to mention that National Saffron Mission Project worth Rs. 400 crores has been sanctioned by Government of India for revival of saffron crop in J&K, which was started in the year 2010 and setting up of IIKSTC is one of the important component of National saffron mission.

The participants showed their satisfaction and appreciated the department for creating such a unique state of an art post harvest and marketing facility under one roof. They said that this centre will definitely help the saffron industry in a long way in generating an economic impact for the stabilization, empowerment and economic empowerment as well.

The participants emphasised on strengthening public-private linkages and engagement for promoting brand Kashmir Saffron, strengthening the production side, and also going for a rigorous marketing campaign for promoting the authentic and high-quality Kashmir saffron through IIKTC.

The visiting team assured the Agriculture Department of their full support in promoting brand Kashmir Saffron and providing wider publicity within the country and abroad for reinvigorating the saffron sector in Kashmir.