In Jammu and Kashmir, Principal Secretary Agriculture Production Department, Navin Kumar Choudhary today visited India International Kashmir Saffron Trade Centre (IIKSTC) at Dussu in Pampore area of Pulwama district and inspected the functioning of the unit there.<br />''<br />''Director Agriculture Kashmir Altaf Aijaz Andrabi, Joint Director Agriculture Extension Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal and other officers of the department accompanied the Principal Secretary.<br />''<br />''He visited different sections of IIKSTC and was briefed by the Director Agriculture about various facilities available there for preserving, grading, processing and marketing of saffron. He also had a detailed interaction session with the officers of the centre.<br />''<br />''He said that this Center is one of the best in Asian subcontinent which is all set to provide Cutting-edge technology to revive the Saffron industry in the region. He directed the officers to organize training and awareness camps among the saffron growers at IIKSTC so that they are fully acquainted with the latest market trends at the national and international level.<br />''<br />''During interaction with the representatives of Saffron growers, he assured them that all their demands and issues would be addressed at an early date.<br />''<br />''He asserted that the IIKSTC establishment will prove to be a game changer in reviving the traditional Saffron sector in Kashmir Valley. He said, this will ensure that the saffron produced in Pampore is sold, graded and exported to various countries in a totally transparent and hassle free manner. Saffron will be sealed and certified in Pampore which will be a trademark for Kashmiri saffron.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">It may be mentioned that the National Saffron Mission Project worth Rs 400 crore has been sanctioned by the Union Government for revival of Saffron crop in J&K. The Project was started in the year 2010 and the setting up of IIKSTC is one of the important components of this Mission.</span><br />