IIKSTC to provide cutting-edge technology to revive Kashmir’s saffron industry: Navin Kumar

PAMPORE: India International Kashmir Saffron Trade Center (IIKSTC) is all set to provide cutting-edge technology to farmers and other stakeholders to revive Kashmir’s saffron industry, Prinicpal Secretary, Agriculture Production Department Naveen Kumar Chowdhary (IAS) today said during a visit to the Centre at Dussu Pampore.

He was accompanied by Director Agriculture Kashmir Altaf Aijaz Andrabi, Joint Director Agriculture Extension Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal and other officers of the department.

During his visit, Prinicpal Secretary visited different sections of the IIKSTC and was briefed by the Director Agriculture about various facilities for preserving, grading, processing and marketing of saffron.

A detailed interaction session with the officers of the centre was held. He directed the officers to organize training/ awareness camps among the saffron growers at IIKSTC so that they are fully acquainted with the latest market trends nationally and internationally.

During the interaction with the representatives of saffron growers Naveen Kumar assured them that their genuine demands and issues will
be addressed at an earliest. He said, “This IIKSTC establishment will play as a game changer in reviving the traditional Saffron sector. He said that this centre will boost the economy of this area as your saffron will be sold, graded and imported to various countries from this platform only. It will be sealed and certified here, which will be a trademark for Kashmiri saffron.”

Director Agriculture Kashmir during the visit said that that every possible support and technical expertise to the saffron growers will be provided by the department of agriculture.

Pertinent to mention that National Saffron Mission Project worth Rs.
400 crores sanctioned by the Government of India for revival of
saffron crop in J&K in 2010 and setting up of IIKSTC is one of the important components of National Saffron Mission.