Progress on establishment of SIS under NMS reviewed

Srinagar: Director Agriculture Kashmir, Altaf Aijaz Andrabi who is also Mission Director, National Mission on Saffron (NMS) today chaired a meeting of concerned officers to review the progress on establishment of Sprinkle Irrigation Systems (SIS) under NMS.
During the meeting, Director Agriculture Kashmir highlighted the importance of irrigation to the saffron fields at the critical crop growth stage as saffron being a moisture stress sensitive crop.
The Director stressed upon the engineers of the Mechanical Engineering Department to ensure that all the 119 Bore wells are made functional during the current season to ensure timely irrigation supply to the saffron crop.
He said the department cannot afford to delay the establishment of Sprinkle Irrigation System as the department is committed to provide irrigation facilities during the current crop cycle.
Andrabi directed that the first cycle of irrigation shall be completed in 15 days starting 3rd week of August by pressing into service the already completed Bore wells.
He impressed upon the Chief Agriculture Officers of the department to mobilize the field staff involved with the mission in order to create awareness about the importance of SIS for increasing the production and productivity of saffron.
Superintending Engineer, MED Kashmir, Executive Engineer MED Srinagar and Chief Agriculture Officers of Srinagar, Pulwama and Budgam besides other concerned officers attended the meeting.