Bilal Habib
Pampore, April 15: The Department of Agriculture, Kashmir, on Monday organised a Buyer-Seller Meet at the Indian International Kashmir Saffron Trade Centre (IIKSTC) in Dusoo, Pampore, with the aim of facilitating direct trade between growers and buyers and boosting agricultural commerce in the region.
The event was inaugurated by Chief Guest and MLA Pampore, Retired Justice Hasnain Masoodi, who also inspected various stalls set up by participating sellers. A large number of saffron growers and dignitaries from across Kashmir attended the meet, making it a significant platform for stakeholder engagement.
In his address, Justice Masoodi said that interactive platforms like Buyer-Seller Meets are essential for building trust and transparency in the agriculture value chain, as they offer growers a chance to connect directly with potential buyers and discuss trade-related issues.
Speaking to Kashmir Convener, Justice Masoodi, however, raised concerns about the scale of participation. “Only 28 kilograms of saffron have been offered at this meet, which is merely about one percent of the total production,” he said, questioning the lack of trust among growers in the facility created at a cost of ₹37 crore under the National Saffron Mission.
Calling for accountability and reflection, the MLA said that the Saffron Mission — which involved an outlay of ₹411 crore — has largely failed to meet its objectives. “None of the bore wells dug under the project have become functional so far. A comprehensive review is urgently needed to determine whether any success can be salvaged from this project,” he said.
Justice Masoodi added that the saffron industry, once valued at nearly ₹500 crore with an annual production of around 22,500 kilograms, is now facing serious challenges. He expressed hope that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is aware of the issue, would personally look into it, while Agriculture Minister Javaid Ahmad Dar is also expected to conduct an independent review. He said the coming days should be focused on identifying root causes and exploring possible remedies.
Joint Director Agriculture Kashmir Sartaj Ahmad Shah told Kashmir Convener that the event was held under the Jammu and Kashmir Sustainable Investment Programme (JK SIP), with active participation from the Spices Board of India, APEDA, and the Trade Promotion Organisation (TPO).