Saffron begins blooming on previously barren land in Leh
The experimental cultivation under Project Him Sarovar has produced nearly 22 grams of saffron in just four days.
Saffron flowers have started blooming on land in Leh that was previously considered barren, according to The Statesman. The first blooms appeared in less than 30 days after the plantation began on 1 October.
Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena inspected the field on Sunday to witness the growth. He was informed that the site produces between 20 and 25 flowers every day, with 72 flowers blooming on Sunday morning.
The experimental project involved planting 90,000 premium Iranian saffron corms, weighing nearly 800 kg, across almost 4,000 square metres of rejuvenated land. This initiative was conducted under the guidance of Saxena as part of Project Him Sarovar.
Nearly 22 grams of pure saffron have been collected in four days. Saxena said the achievement highlights the potential of high-altitude farming and could create new avenues for agro-based entrepreneurship in Ladakh.
The pilot project aims to assess if the region's climate is suitable for saffron, a high-value crop. Currently, Jammu and Kashmir accounts for approximately 90 per cent of India's total saffron production.