National Mission on Saffron to get extension: Nayak

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 16: Principal Secretary Agriculture Production Department, Sandeep Kumar Nayak convened a meeting of agriculture officers here today to take a comprehensive review of activities of the department.
Director Agriculture Kashmir, Syed Altaf Aijaz Andrabi, Director Research SKUAST-K, M.Y. Zargar, Saffron expert F.A. Nehvi, and Superintending Engineer (Mechanical), Kashmir Mushtaq Hussain Jan, Chief Agriculture officers of all the concerned districts and other concerned attended the meeting.
The Principal Secretary informed that the Government is intending to extend the National Mission on Saffron (NMS) for next five years so that all the pending activities are completed and the saffron growers harvest the benefits of the Mission.
He announced that the trial run of Spice Park at Dussoo Pampore will start from November 17 under the technical supervision of Firdous Ahmed Nehvi.
He stressed upon all the officers to work effectively on RKVY schemes as the Union Government is making changes in the scheme and modifications to boost the economic status of farmers. He urged the need to implement Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Programme in letter and spirit for the benefit of farming community.
Kumar asked all the Chief Agriculture Officers to cultivate exotic vegetables in their areas. He directed Agriculture Officers to expand the area under vegetable cultivation, beekeeping and other activities.