PAMPORE, AUGUST 23 (KNS) : Secretary Agriculture and Horticulture Department, Government of Sikkim and Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal today visited India International Saffron Trade Centre Dussoo Pampore (IIKSTC) at Dussoo here.
During the visit, the Secretary visited different sections of IIKSTC and interacted with the staff and technical experts of the centre.
Later on Secretary Agriculture Sikkim held a meeting with Director Agriculture Kashmir and some senior officers of the Department.
Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary said that with the cooperation from Agriculture Department Kashmir, we have come a long way viz-a-viz saffron cultivation in Sikkim State. He said saffron cultivation will be beneficial for the farmers in Sikkim, adding that saffron is a cash crop and its successful cultivation in Sikkim will boost the income of our farmers.
While addressing the meeting, Director Agriculture Kashmir Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal gave a detailed overview of IIKSTC and various latest interventions and initiatives by the department of agriculture for the development of saffron sector. He assured the Secretary from Sikkim of every possible technical support during their endeavour of saffron cultivation in Sikkim State.
Notably, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed recently between Jammu and Kashmir and Sikkim for mutual cooperation in the agriculture sector. Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Department, Sikkim Government and Sikkim University has signed the tripartite agreement for collaboration on training, technology, capacity building and extension activities for saffron and other temperate crops in the month July 2022.(KNS)