PAMPORE, September 09: Saffron replanting is in full swing across various saffron-growing villages of Pampore Tehsil area of Pulwama district through Govt aid.
The farmers are actively engaged in the process aimed at strengthening, reviving and sustaining saffron cultivation in the region, an official said.
Farmers in several saffron-producing areas of Pampore are busy replanting saffron corns under the Jammu and Kashmir Comprehensive Investment Plan (JKCIP) as part of the ongoing replanting programme.
The initiative is aimed at rejuvenating saffron fields, improving productivity and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the region’s prized saffron crop.
The Agriculture Department, Zone Pampore teams, is closely monitoring the replanting activities across the saffron-growing areas to ensure proper implementation of the programme in accordance with prescribed guidelines.
Agriculture officials are also visiting fields and providing technical guidance to farmers on corm selection, planting methods, spacing and other essential cultivation practices.
Officials told Kashmir Convener, that a large number of saffron growers are participating in the replanting exercise and undertaking the work in their fields as per recommended guidelines. Continuous technical support is also being extended to farmers to ensure that the process is carried out in a systematic and scientific manner.
Under the replanting programme, farmers are being provided government assistance of Rs 28,735 per kanal for saffron corm replanting. In addition, Rs 9,000 per kanal is being provided as labour assistance to help growers meet the cost of labour involved in the cultivation and replanting process.
The Agriculture Department said the financial assistance, coupled with technical guidance, is intended to encourage more saffron growers to undertake replanting and adopt improved cultivation practices. The initiative is expected to strengthen saffron production and enhance the sustainability of saffron cultivation in Pampore, one of Kashmir’s major saffron-producing areas.
Farmers participating in the replanting programme expressed satisfaction with the support being extended by the government. They appreciated the Government of India and the Agriculture Department, particularly Agriculture Zone Pampore, for providing financial assistance and technical guidance.
The farmers told Kashmir Convener, that the government support has reduced the financial burden associated with saffron replanting and encouraged growers to make renewed efforts to revive and maintain their saffron fields.
“The assistance has brought happiness and renewed enthusiasm among the saffron-growing community. The initiative will provide fresh momentum to saffron cultivation in Pampore, strengthen the region’s traditional saffron economy and encourage farmers to continue cultivating the valuable crop,” farmers told Kashmir Convener.
Speaking to Kashmir Convener, Agriculture Extension Officer Pampore Mir Ashiq Hussain said that the peak season for saffron replanting is currently underway, and the Agriculture Department is making every effort to promote and strengthen the saffron industry in the region.
“We are reaching out to farmers through door-to-door campaigns and encouraging them to register under the JKCIP scheme. A large number of farmers have already registered, and at present, saffron corm replanting is going on in full swing,” he said.
He said it was encouraging to see farmers coming forward and welcoming the government initiative, adding that the department was also pleased to see growers availing themselves of the benefits being provided under the Jammu Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP) scheme.
“At present, saffron corm replanting is being carried out in almost every village. The scheme was also implemented last year, when a large number of farmers registered and around 610 kanals were brought under saffron replanting. This year, however, we are expecting much higher participation, and there is hope that the area under replanting may nearly double,” Hussain said.
He appealed to farmers to come forward, promote saffron cultivation and register under the ongoing JKCIP scheme to help preserve the region’s traditional and heritage crop.
Explaining the benefits under the scheme, he said farmers are being provided an incentive of Rs 28,535 per kanal for saffron replanting, while an additional Rs 9,000 per kanal is provided the following year for inter-cultural operations.
“The farmers are doing the hard work themselves and the seed is also being provided by the farmers themselves. The incentive is being provided by the Agriculture Department under the scheme. Farmers are currently taking advantage of this support,” he said.
Hussain further appealed to saffron growers to make full use of the scheme and remain in contact with the Agriculture Department. “We are conducting door-to-door and village-to-village campaigns and awareness programmes. Our message to farmers is to come forward, avail themselves of the scheme and contribute towards saving and promoting this heritage crop,” he said
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