PULWAMA: Union Joint Secretary Horticulture, Department, Priya Ranjan, today visited India International Kashmir Saffron Trade Centre (IIKSTC), Dussoo Pampore and IGC Lassipora, Pulwama.
He inspected different sections of IIKSTC and was briefed by the concerned officers regarding various facilities available there like preserving, grading, packing, labelling, processing, and marketing for the concerned saffron farmers.
While addressing the meeting, the Union Joint secretary reiterated the Government’s commitment towards the development of the saffron sector. He said the GI tagging of Kashmir saffron has increased its significance in national as well as global markets.
He took a detailed review of the current status of saffron production, and marketing facilities being provided to saffron growers. He impressed upon the concerned officers to ensure optimum use of different facilities available at the IIKSTC. He asked the management of IIKSTC to maximise awareness among the saffron growers.
Director of Agriculture Kashmir Chowdhury Mohammad Iqbal gave a detailed presentation of the saffron sector and the interventions by the department for the promotion of the saffron sector. He also briefed the Union Joint Secretary regarding the functioning of the India International Kashmir Saffron Trade Centre.
Later, Priya Ranjan along with Mission Director MIDH/Director Horticulture, Kashmir, GR Mir visited I.G.C. Lassipora, Pulwama, to inspect various Cold Storage facilities being established under the Mission.
During the visit, the Union Joint Secretary inspected various C.A stores and took stock of the functioning of the units. He enjoined upon the entrepreneurs to work to harness the potential of this sector for its growth and employment generation.
He requested all interested entrepreneurs to invest in the Horticulture sector for the creation and establishment of infrastructure to facilitate the farming community with raw materials and their value addition for earning better livelihood through this sector.
