50 hectares of land rejuvenated under National Saffron Mission in Kishtwar

Pulwama, March 07: The Jammu and Kashmir government revealed in the Legislative Assembly that 50 hectares of land have been rejuvenated in Kishtwar district under the National Saffron Mission.
The disclosure was made in response to a starred question by BJP leader of opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and MLA Padder-Nagseni, Sunil Kumar Sharma, who sought details of the technical and financial support provided to saffron farmers in his constituency.
The Minister Incharge, Agriculture Production Department, stated in the Assembly that an area of 50 hectares (19989.03 Marlas) has been rejuvenated under the mission.
According to the response, 5,465 saffron farmers have received financial assistance for saffron corms at a rate of ₹1,265 per marla, amounting to a total subsidy of ₹252.86 lakh. Furthermore, 100 farmers have been supported with subsidies for vermi-compost units, each receiving 50% subsidy up to ₹30,000, with a total subsidy allocation of ₹30 lakh.
The Assembly was informed that mechanization support has also been provided, with 48 beneficiaries receiving 50% subsidy on power tillers/weeding machines, with a maximum subsidy of ₹50,000 per unit, amounting to ₹24 lakh in total.
The Minister further stated that ten farmer training camps have been organized under the National Saffron Mission, where 250 farmers were trained over two-day sessions, with each participant receiving a stipend of ₹750.
Responding to a query on whether the government intends to establish a saffron processing and marketing unit in the constituency, the House was informed that efforts are being made to enhance saffron marketing and sales. As part of this initiative, three Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) are now engaged in processing, packaging, and selling saffron through e-marketing platforms and buyer-seller meets across the country.
It was told in the house that the government has also undertaken steps to promote organic farming under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP).
A total of nine organic farming clusters have been established in Kishtwar, each covering 20 hectares and involving 50 farmers. The clusters include Pochhal B2, Galhar, Garh, Ligri, Hamindrawn, Tiyari, Ishtiyari, Karthale, and Ladder. In total, 450 farmers have been registered under the Participatory Guarantee Scheme (PGS) Portal, and organic inputs have been provided for 180 hectares of land.
The House was informed that awareness camps have also been conducted within these clusters to educate farmers on organic farming techniques and their benefits.