Workshop on Saffron Cultivation in Sikkim is being organized on 15th and 16th March, 2023 for the prospective farmers of different areas of Sikkim. The inaugural programme of the workshop was held on 15th March, 2023 at the Conference Hall, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. The Chief Guest for the programme was the Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya. Shri L.N. Sharma, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture, Govt. of Sikkim was present as the Guest of Honour. The Workshop on Saffron Cultivation in Sikkim is being organized by Sikkim University, Department of Horticulture, Govt. of Sikkim and Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Department, J&K, UT. Shri Choudhary Mohammad Iqbal, Director Agriculture, J&K, UT was also present along with other officials from the Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Department, J&K, UT.

Saffron is one of the most expensive cash crops among medicinal plants in the world and it has been called ‘the red gold’. The joint efforts of Sikkim University, Dept. of Horticulture, Govt. of Sikkim and Dept. of Agriculture, J&K, UT have successfully demonstrated the cultivation of saffron in some villages of Sikkim in the years 2021 and 2022. The workshop aims at disseminating production technologies to the farming communities and to draw the future course of action. The workshop would comprise lectures and Farmers- Scientists interaction. About 100 farmers from different potential areas of Sikkim will participate in the programme.

A manual on Production Technology for Saffron under organic farming system in Sikkim Himalaya was also released at the programme by the Hon’ble Governor Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Shri L.N. Sharma, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture, Govt. of Sikkim, Vice- Chancellor Sikkim University Prof. Avinash Khare and Shri Choudhary Mohammad Iqbal, Director Agriculture, J&K