LEH, November 1: Ladakh’s experimental saffron cultivation project has delivered encouraging results, with nearly 22 grams of pure saffron harvested during the first four days of flowering on recently restored degraded land in Leh, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said on Sunday.
Describing the development as a significant achievement, the Lieutenant Governor said the first saffron flowers appeared within just 30 days of planting, compared to the usual flowering period of nearly two months.
He said the early flowering marked an important milestone in efforts to explore the potential of high-altitude agriculture in Ladakh’s cold desert conditions.
The experimental saffron cultivation initiative was launched on October 2 with the objective of introducing saffron farming on a larger scale in the Union Territory.
The project aims to utilise Ladakh’s unique climatic conditions and explore new agricultural opportunities in the high-altitude region, building on the encouraging success of Lilium flower cultivation.
The initial harvest of 22 grams within four days has raised hopes for expanding saffron cultivation and creating new livelihood opportunities for local farmers.
The initiative is also expected to help diversify Ladakh’s agricultural economy while bringing previously degraded land under productive cultivation.
