SRINAGAR: A high-level delegation from Iran has arrived at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) on a five-day visit aimed at strengthening academic and research collaboration, with a special focus on saffron cultivation and value addition.
The visit is part of ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation between India and Iran in the field of saffron research, as both regions are globally renowned for producing high-quality saffron. During their stay, the Iranian experts will engage in detailed discussions with scientists and faculty members of SKUAST-K to share expertise, research findings and best practices related to saffron agronomy, post-harvest management and quality improvement.
The delegation is scheduled to visit saffron-growing areas of Pampore and surrounding regions to study local cultivation practices, climatic conditions and farmer interventions. Interactive sessions with researchers, extension scientists and students have also been planned to facilitate knowledge exchange and explore possibilities for joint research projects.
Officials at SKUAST-K said the collaboration aims to promote scientific innovation, improve saffron productivity and address common challenges such as climate variability, disease management and market competitiveness.
The university leadership expressed confidence that the visit would pave the way for long-term institutional partnerships, collaborative research programmes and capacity-building initiatives, ultimately benefiting saffron growers and strengthening the saffron sector in Kashmir.
