First time fresh flowers procured by buyers: Director Agriculture Kashmir

SRINAGAR : Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal today visited India International Kashmir Trade Centre (IIKTC) Dussoo Pampore. During his visit to the centre, Director Agriculture monitored procurement of 45 kgs of fresh saffron flowers by Tata consumers Product Limited and its collection at IIKSTC Dussu pampore.

Director Agriculture was informed about the saffron flower picking operations, various interventions by the Department and latest technologies adopted by the saffron growers.

On the occasion, Director Agriculture said that the India International Kashmir Saffron trade Centre (IIKSTC), has been established by the department to provide saffron growers with the best facilities for the pre and post harvest and marketing of their produce.

Director said that the adoption of latest technologies by the saffron farmers will not only increase the production but will ensure better quality. He said GI Tagging of saffron has increased its importance. He said with GI Tagging of Kashmir saffron and online marketing facilities at IIKSTC has made it easy for buyers and sellers to trade and the saffron grower has a wide range of market options available.

He said the quality of Kashmir saffron is much better than the quality of saffron from other countries. He asked the concerned officers & officials to work in a way that the economic benefit of this unique quality of Kashmir saffron reaches the concerned saffron farmers.

Pertinent to mention that Tata Consumers Products Limited collected 45 kgs of saffron flowers for its processing and collection at IIKSTC.