SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 17  (KNS): The Department of Agriculture Kashmir in collaboration with Spice Board of India today organized a Buyer seller meet-cum-holistic discussion on challenges of 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 meet, Atal Dulloo said that after GI tagging of Kashmir Saffron its production is getting enhanced economic returns leading to 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 extensive reach of Kashmir Saffron to newer markets at 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 of Kashmir saffron reaches the concerned farmers.

ACS asked the concerned officers of 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 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 revival of saffron and the department is working on different programs for promotion and development of this golden spice.

Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal, enumerated different interventions being taken up by the department for 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 promotion and marketing of saffron.

Later, threadbare discussion was held on challenges of available market chain of GI tagged Kashmir Saffron in which the stakeholders presented their valuable view points.

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.(KNS)