Minister, Agriculture & Horticulture visited Horticulture farm at Ravangla to inspect the land preparation and sowing of saffron seeds

Namchi,2nd October (IPR): After a year long research and field exercise to introduce high value saffron production in Sikkim, the department of Horticulture has started planting of saffron seeds in different identified climatically favourable areas.
Minister, Agriculture & Horticulture, Shri Lok Nath Sharma visited Horticulture farm at Ravangla on 1st October. He inspected the land preparation and sowing of saffron seeds.
During the visit, minister sharma interacted with the the officials, field functionaries and farmers and informed that in a joint collaborative effort with the Sikkim University, Government of Jammu and Kashmir and under the able guidance and strong will power of the Governor and Chief Minister of Sikkim, the department of Horticulture finally embraced much awaited step of sowing high-value saffron seeds after comprehensive field research in the state of Sikkim.
The state has acquired nine quintal of saffron seeds and the farmers will also be involved in climatically suitable areas besides horticulture farms.
Along with the Ravangla Horticulture farm, Lachung in North and Hilley in West, have also geared up for saffron cultivation.
Minister Sharma was accompanied by the Joint Director, Horticulture, Namchi Shri Dikendra Bhujel, field functionaries and others.