Home
|
Sitemap
|
FAQs
|
Contact Us
Product
Country
Menu
About Agri Exchange
Introduction
Apeda Agri Exchange
The Vision
Benefits / Facilities
To Exporters
To Buyers
Product Profile
Floriculture
Floriculture
Fruits & Vegetables Seeds
Fresh fruits & Vegetables
Fresh Onion
Other Fresh Vegetables
Walnuts
Fresh Mangoes
Fresh Grapes
Other Fresh Fruits
Others (Betel Leaves & Nuts)
Processed Fruits & Vegetables
Cucumber and Gherkins (Prepd. & Presvd.)
Processed Vegetables
Mango Pulp
Processed Fruits,Juices & Nuts
Pulses
Animal Products
Buffalo Meat
Sheep/ Goat Meat
Other Meat
Processed Meat
Animal Casing
Poultry Products
Dairy Products
Natural Honey
Caseins
Albumin (Eggs & Milk)
Other Processed Foods
Groundnuts
Guar Gum
Jaggery & confectionery
Cocoa Products
Cereal Preparation
Milled Products
Alcoholic Beverages
Miscellaneous Preperations
Cereals
Basmati Rice
Non Basmati Rice
Wheat
Maize
Other Cereals
Country Profile
United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia
Malaysia
Bangladesh
United States
Vietnam
Kuwait
Iran
United Kingdom
Indonesia
...View more country profiles
FTA's
Analytical Report on FTAs
Tariff Concession under FTAs
Statistics
International Trade
India's Export
India's Import
Production
International Production
India Production
Market Intelligence
e-Bulletin
Global Analytical Report
India's Export Analytical Report
Comparative Report On APEDA Products
Comparative Report On Principal Commodities
Import Tariffs
Import Regulations
SPS Notifications
DGFT : Public Notice, Notifications, Circular and Trade Notice
India Food Safety & Standards
Market Reports
Foreign Trade Policy 2023
Chapter 01 - Legal Framework and Trade Facilitation
Chapter 02 - General Provisions Regarding Imports and Exports
Chapter 03 - Developing Districts as Export Hubs
Chapter 04 - Duty Exemption Remission Schemes
Chapter 05 - Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme
Chapter 06 - Export Oriented Units (EOUs), Electronics Hardware Technology Parks (EHTPs), Software Technology Parks (STPs) and Bio-Technology Parks (BTPs)
Chapter 07 - Deemed Exports
Chapter 08 - Quality Complaints and Trade Disputes
Chapter 09 - Promoting Cross Border Trade in Digital Economy
Chapter 10 - Scomet: Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies
Chapter 11 - Definitions
Newsletters
Latest News
Latest Newsletter
Archives
Directory
Exporters
Service Providers
Logistics
Trade Leads
Submit New lead
Buy Leads
Sell Leads
Indian Mission Login
Market News
India turns the only saffron-producing country with GI tag.
Jun 22, 2022
India has become the only saffron-producing country to earn a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its Kashmir saffron. Iran is the largest producer of saffron in the world while India is a close competitor.
However, an official spokesman said on Tuesday that the GI tag will result in more prominence for the Kashmir saffron in the export market, thereby boosting its exports. This will in turn help the farmers to get the best remunerative price for economic sustainability, said.
The GI certification would also cease the prevalent adulteration of saffron and will put an end to the marketing of saffron cultivated in other countries under the garb of being produced in Kashmir which otherwise was affecting the economic interests of the farmers associated with this crop.
To give a boost to saffron production in Kashmir, J&K Government has launched new initiatives including the introduction of GI Tagging. The GI sign is used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
Saffron growers are hopeful that they will now get a better price for their produce after the introduction of the GI tag to the saffron grown here. Kashmiri Saffron is grown at an altitude of 1,600 m to 1,800 m above mean sea level, which adds to its uniqueness and differentiates it from other saffron varieties available across the world.
Saffron is cultivated and harvested in the Karewas (highlands) of Jammu and Kashmir and has been assigned GI tag by the Geographical Indications Registry. The spice is grown in Pulwama, Budgam, Kishtwar and Srinagar regions of Jammu & Kashmir.
Highlighting the importance of preserving the unique identity of Kashmiri Saffron, an official of the Agriculture Department said that Kashmir is having the distinction of producing one of the best saffron in the world, therefore it is our individual and collective moral responsibility to preserve this golden spice not only for a large number of families directly associated with the cultivation of saffron but for our generations to come.
Saffron, despite its price, is in high demand for its antioxidant properties. It carries a hefty price tag also because the process of converting crocus flowers into the thread-like spice is painstaking and labour-intensive as it takes around 160,000 flowers to yield a kilogram of saffron.
Kashmiri saffron is of superior quality because of the higher concentration of crocin, a carotenoid pigment that gives saffron its colour and medicinal value. Its crocin content is 8.72% compared to the Iranian variant’s 6.82%, giving it a darker colour and enhanced medicinal value.
Kashmiri Saffron is globally popular as a spice. It rejuvenates health and is used in cosmetics and for medicinal purposes. It has been associated with traditional Kashmiri cuisine and represents the rich cultural heritage of the region. The unique characteristics of Kashmir saffron are its longer and thicker stigmas, natural deep-red colour, high aroma, bitter flavour, chemical-free processing, and high quantity of crocin (colouring strength), safranal (flavour) and picrocrocin (bitterness).
Remarkably, a new saffron park has been set up just for the sole purpose of processing and promoting the sale of saffron from Kashmir Valley. The samples brought by growers are tested here. The lab is recognised across the world. There are 8 parameters that are tested, which are internationally recognized. The 8 parameters include moisture, extraneous matter and foreign matter, and total ash and three main characteristics. They are graded and then e-auctioned. The farmers get the flowers and then the stigma separation and vacuum drying are done at the Dusoo Park.
Traditionally the farmers used to dry the saffron under shade at home but due to that, the saffron used to lose the main components. Now all the parameters are saved to get the best grade, an official of the Saffron Park said.
With the GI tag, saffron growers and traders are getting more benefits like legal protection to the products as well as prevention of unauthorized use of GI tag products by others.
thestatesman.com
Archive