Breaking new ground in Ladakh’s high-altitude agricultural landscape, the experimental saffron cultivation project initiated by Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on recently restored degraded land in Leh has begun to blossom.
The first bloom in the Saffron field came in a record-breaking 30 days, compared with the two-month timeline typically required for the first bloom. The plantation was completed on October 1, and the first bloom was reported in less than 30 days. As an ambitious experiment, nearly 800 kg corms (90,000 nos) of premium Iranian saffron were planted over nearly 4,000 square metres of land, which was earlier barren and has been recently restored and rejuvenated, as part of Project Him Sarovar, under the guidance of LG Saxena.
On Sunday, LG Saxena inspected the saffron field to witness the first bloom, where he was informed that the cultivation site is currently averaging 20 to 25 blooming flowers daily, with a peak of 72 flowers blooming this morning alone.
This rapid, robust growth has led to the collection of nearly 22 grams of pure saffron in just four days.
The initiative is guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of diversifying traditional agricultural practices for financial sustainability and economic empowerment of the farmers and the youth.
“This remarkable achievement is a powerful testament to the resilience of the local environment and highlights the immense, untapped potential of high-altitude farming in the Ladakh region.
The breakthrough of this pilot project also lays a promising foundation for future commercial-scale saffron production. It will open highly lucrative new avenues for crop cultivation and agro-based entrepreneurship in Ladakh, actively paving the way for a stronger, thriving, and self-reliant local economy,” LG Saxena said.
Notably, saffron is a high-value crop with strong market demand and commands a premium price, offering the potential to provide farmers with an additional and remunerative source of income.
Jammu and Kashmir is the primary region for saffron cultivation in India, accounting for approximately 90% of the country’s total production. The LG also appreciated the officials of the Agriculture Department of UT Ladakh and the dedicated field staff for their significant contributions.