Ladakh Saffron: 22 grams harvested in four days, daily flower count nearly triples; LG VK Saxena shares update

An experimental saffron cultivation project in Ladakh has recorded its first bloom within just 30 days of plantation, much earlier than the usual two-month period. The pilot initiative, undertaken on restored degraded land in Leh, has also produced nearly 22 grams of saffron within the first four days of flowering.

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The project was initiated by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and is being conducted across nearly 4,000 square metres of land at Spituk Pharka.

Saffron project records early flowering in Ladakh

The experimental field has been producing an average of 20 to 25 flowers every day. However, on Sunday morning, the number of blooms increased to 72, marking the highest single-day count recorded so far.

The early flowering is being seen as a significant development for the pilot project, which aims to explore saffron cultivation possibilities in Ladakh's cold desert conditions.

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Nearly 22 grams of saffron collected in four days

Sharing an update on the project on X, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena announced that the first flowers had appeared within 30 days of plantation, compared to the usual two-month timeline.

In his post, he wrote, “Proud to announce that the experimental saffron cultivation, over recently restored degraded land in Leh, has begun to blossom, in a record-breaking 30 days, against the usual two-month timeline for the first bloom. Inspected the saffron field today to witness the first saffron bloom.

"On an average, 20 to 25 flowers are blooming daily with 72 flowers blooming this morning. In just 04 days, nearly 22 grams of pure saffron has been collected.

"My deepest appreciation and congratulations to the Agriculture Department of UT Ladakh, our dedicated and hardworking field staff, for significantly contributing to the success of this pilot project."

Saffron cultivation in Ladakh: Economic potential for farmers

Saffron is a high-value agricultural crop that enjoys strong market demand and fetches premium prices, making it a potential additional source of income for farmers. In India, Jammu and Kashmir accounts for nearly 90 per cent of the country's total saffron production.

The introduction of saffron cultivation in Ladakh is currently being tested through a pilot project to evaluate whether the crop can thrive in the region's climatic conditions and determine its potential economic benefits for local farmers.

The development marks an encouraging beginning for the experimental cultivation initiative in Ladakh, with the project recording early flowering and initial saffron production.