SRINAGAR,
OCTOBER 05: Division of Plant Biotechnology,
SKUAST-K in collaboration with Women Empowerment Cell, Directorate of
Extension, SKUAST-K conducted a One-day awareness camp for introducing the
concept of ‘Organic Saffron Kitchen Gardens’ among women.
The camp was organized under the aegis of NMHS, Govt. of India sponsored
project “A Value Chain of Saffron in New Areas of NW Himalayas by Engaging
Youth and Women for Strengthening a Bio-based Green Economy” which aims at
engaging youth and women to promote saffron cultivation in non-traditional
areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
Among others, the camp was attended by fifty women participants from districts
of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal of central Kashmir. Free kits comprising of
saffron corms, vermicompost,
etc. were distributed among the women participants. Director Extension,
SKUAST-K, Prof. Mushtaq Ahmad applauded the participants for their interest and
participation, while educating them about the importance of the cultivation of
saffron spice in kitchen gardens, and the tradition of using saffron in
home-made beverages like Kehwa.
Prof FA Nehvi
Head, Division of Plant Biotechnology shared his valuable inputs on the
medicinal value of this crop and his experience of growing saffron in
non-traditional areas. There was an interactive session where various queries
raised by the participants were answered by Dr Amjad M Husaini, Principal
Investigator of the project.
