SRINAGAR: The Department of Agriculture Kashmir in collaboration with Spice Board of India today organized a Buyer seller meet-cum-holistic discussion on challenges of the available market value chain of GI-tagged Kashmir Saffron, at Agriculture Complex Lalmandi, Srinagar.
Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Productions Department. Atal Dulloo, inaugurated the event.
While addressing the meeting, Atal Dulloo said that after the GI tagging of Kashmir Saffron its production is getting enhanced economic returns leading to the socio-economic transformation of saffron growers. He added that the online trading facilities ensured to saffron growers at India International Kashmir Saffron Trade Centre (IIKSTC) is also helping in the extensive reach of Kashmir Saffron to newer markets at the international level. International buyers are taking Kashmir saffron due to this online trading facility, he asserted.
Dulloo said the quality of Kashmir saffron is better than the quality of saffron from other countries like Spain and Iran. He asked all the stakeholders to work hard towards making sure that the benefits of this high-quality Kashmir saffron reach the concerned farmers.
ACS asked the concerned officers of the Spice Board of India to organize virtual meetings with the international buyers regarding the Kashmir Saffron to let them know that the J&K government is all set to meet their specific requirements. He said our production will be export and buyer oriented in the coming days and we should take all the initiatives for all improvements of our product if needed. He said the national mission on saffron has played an important role in the revival of saffron and the department is working on different programs for the promotion and development of this golden spice.
Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal, enumerated different interventions being taken up by the department for the promotion of saffron and its marketing.
Earlier, Director Marketing Spice Board of India, B N Jha gave a detailed presentation on various steps being taken up by the board for the promotion and marketing of saffron.
Later, a threadbare discussion was held on the challenges of an available market chain of GI-tagged Kashmir Saffron in which the stakeholders presented their valuable viewpoints.
Among others, the meet was attended by Joint Director, Agriculture Extension, Mohammad Syed Pir, Chief Agriculture Officer, Srinagar Mohammad Younis Chowdhary, Consultant Spice Board, sectoral heads, senior officers, FPOs, sellers, and buyers.
