Leh, March 05: The Administrative Secretary of the Agriculture Department, UT Ladakh, Bhupesh Chaudhary, Wednesday chaired a meeting at the Civil Secretariat, Leh, to review the cultivation of saffron and asafoetida (Heeng) in Ladakh.
A detailed discussions focused on the cultivation process of both saffron and asafoetida in Ladakh. A representative from CSIR-IIIM, Leh, provided insights into their ongoing saffron cultivation trials, stating that the institute has been working on a trial basis for the past two years.
The Secretary instructed CSIR-IIIM representatives to collaborate with the Agriculture Department to transfer technology and share expertise to introduce saffron cultivation among farmers in Ladakh.
Additionally, the Secretary directed the Agriculture Department to identify suitable villages and locations for saffron cultivation in both Leh and Kargil districts. He noted that the department would be cultivating saffron on a trial basis this year and emphasized the need for technical inputs from CSIR-IIIM. He also instructed the department to draft a comprehensive policy on saffron cultivation, including demonstration projects and training programs for farmers, in collaboration with CSIR-IIIM. Regarding asafoetida (Heeng) cultivation, a representative from DIHAR, Leh, briefed the meeting on the progress of its cultivation in Ladakh. The Secretary further directed the concerned officials to write to the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) regarding the provision of Heeng seeds. The meeting was attended by Under Secretary, Agriculture Department; Joint Director, Agriculture; and representatives from the Defence Institute of High-Altitude Research (DIHAR) and CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Leh.
