Srinagar, Nov 09 (KNO): National Conference (NC) MLA from Pampore, Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi, on Monday questioned the purpose of organising celebrations like ‘Jashn-e-Saffron’ when the production of Kashmir’s prized saffron continues to decline sharply, calling for a comprehensive and result-oriented revival plan to rescue the sector.
Speaking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Masoodi said that celebrating saffron without addressing the serious challenges confronting growers would serve little purpose, particularly when production has fallen to alarming levels.
The MLA said he had thought of associating himself with the event, but after considering the ground realities, felt that doing so would amount to "self-deception".
“What is the fun of celebrating Jashn-e-Saffron when saffron production is continuously declining? Instead of celebrations, the need of the hour is to take result-oriented measures and formulate a comprehensive revival plan for the sector,” he said.
Masoodi said he had repeatedly raised concerns over the declining production of saffron and maintained that the situation had reached a critical stage.
“I have been consistently raising my voice over the need for saffron revival. Last year, production was barely around five per cent of the normal level, and the situation remains almost the same this year,” he said.
The MLA said the government must first undertake a comprehensive review to identify the reasons behind the continued decline and assess why earlier interventions had failed to deliver the desired results.
He said isolated interventions and cosmetic measures at different places would not help revive the sector unless a coordinated and comprehensive strategy was put in place.
“There is a need to review why saffron production has declined to such an extent and why the existing measures have failed to produce results. We need a comprehensive plan for its revival. Doing cosmetic things at one place and something else at another will not help. The entire sector needs a well-planned and result-oriented intervention,” he said.
Masoodi further disclosed that he had also taken up the issue with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, urging him to formulate a comprehensive revival plan to address the concerns of saffron growers and restore the sector's productivity.
"The revival of saffron cultivation requires sustained government attention, proper planning and concrete interventions rather than symbolic celebrations," he said.
On Sunday, Minister for Agriculture Production Javid Ahmad Dar inaugurated the Mega Khet Bachao Abhiyan-cum-Kissan Mela at the India International Kashmir Saffron Trade Centre (IIKSTC), Pampore.
The event witnessed the participation of two PDP MLAs from Pulwama, while the two NC MLAs from the district remained absent.
KNO tried to contact NC MLA from Rajpora, Ghulam Mohiuddin Mir, for his comments on the issue, but he was unavailable—(KNO)