The Jammu and Kashmir government today said that 3,785 hectares of saffron growing areas was covered under the National Saffron Mission in the state last year. "An area of 3,665 hectares was covered under National Saffron Mission in Kashmir division and 120 hectares in Jammu's Kishtwar during 2011," Agriculture Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir said in the Legislative Council. The minister was replying to a calling attention moved by Bashir Ahmed Veeri. Mir said 1,000 hectares and 40 hectares of land is expected to be covered under the Mission in Kashmir and Jammu divisions,respectively,this year. He said the Rs 372.18 crore worth Saffron Development Project would be implemented in the state over a period of four years. The year-wise allocation under the Mission shall be provided by the Government of India,the minister said.
