An unnecessary controversy is being created by few vested interests on the issue of saffron by portraying it as another issue of discrimination against Jammu after the Prime Minister Modi talked of making Kashmiri Saffron a globally popular brand during his monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio address. Clarifying the issue, Brig Veteran Anil Gupta, Spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party, stated that the Kashmiri Saffron is a brand and includes the entire saffron grown in Jammu & Kashmir including Kishtwar. Prime Minister in his speech had also asserted that Kashmiri Saffron is mainly grown in Pulwama, Budgam and Kishtwar districts.
It is the entire saffron grown in J&K that has been given the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag that would help the boost of export and benefit all the farmers growing saffron irrespective of the region it is produced asserted Brig Gupta. GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities of a reputation that are due to that origin. It prevents unauthorised use of that brand by others thus providing legal protection which in turn boost exports and adds to economic prosperity of the producers of that geographical territory stated Brig Gupta.
In Jammu Division, Kishtwar District (Block: Kishtwar) is covered under the National Mission on Saffron (NMS) which was taken up under the Saffron project.
A Saffron Development Farm has beendeveled at Berwar, Kishtwar for quality corms production. The total area of the farm is 180 kanals out of which 152 kanals is under cultivation. As a result of this initiative the area under Saffron in the district has increased from 120 ha to 202 ha as estimated by the Revenue Department. Enhancement in the quality of Saffron has been ensured by providing Solar dryers to the farmers. Now the farmers are getting remunerative prices for their produce stated Brig Gupta.
A Saffron Park is also proposed under NMS in Kishtwar District, and is awaiting formal inauguration. The total proposed cost of the project for establishment of Saffron Park is approximately Rs 12.00 crores. An area of 20 kanals is required for establishment of the Saffron Park. The Saffron Park shall have Administrative Blocks, Processing Unit, Collection Centres of Saffron Flowers, Transit facility/canteen, common facilities such as Drainage, Street Lighting, Pumping Station and water storage etc., Path way, Residential Quarters, Agro Mall, Research and Development Block. The Saffron Park will facilitate the growers in sorting, packaging, branding/labelling and marketing of their produce as per export standards asserted Brig Gupta.
Brig Gupta has appealed to the public to not fall prey to the motivated propaganda aimed at creating a regional divide. He reiterated that Modi government is against any form of regional discrimination and staunchly believes in SabkaSaathSabkaVikas and SabkaVishwas.