New Delhi: Urging the people to buy Kashmiri saffron, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the government will put full effort in making it a globally popular brand.
“In May this year, the Kashmiri saffron was given the Geographical Indication Tag or GI tag. Through this, we want to make Kashmiri saffron a globally popular brand,” the prime minister said during his 72nd monthly radio programme “Man ki Baat” on Sunday.
Kashmiri saffron represents the rich cultural heritage of Jammu & Kashmir, he said.
The prime minister also said its export will increase after getting Geographical Indication Tag and it will the government’s efforts to make a self-reliant India.
“It is said that Abul Fazal was one of the main courtiers in emperor Akbar’s court. Once after a visit to Kashmir, he said that the scenic beauty of Kashmir can make even irritated and short-tempered people dance with joy. In fact, he was referring to saffron fields of Kashmir. Saffron has been associated with Kashmir for centuries. Kashmir saffron is mainly grown in areas such as Pulwama, Budgam and Kishtwar,” the prime minister said.
“The saffron has a strong aroma, rich colour, and its threads are long and thick which enhance its medicinal value… If we talk about quality then Kashmiri saffron is a very unique and it is entirely different from saffron of other countries,” he said.