In the cold, high-altitude region of Leh in Ladakh, land once considered barren is now producing one of the world’s most expensive spices. Saffron flowers have begun blooming here in less than 30 days after planting, offering fresh hope for agriculture in a region where farming conditions can be challenging.

The first blooms appeared on land recently restored under Project Him Sarovar, an experimental initiative launched by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. The most interesting part of the experiment is that the saffron flowers appeared much earlier than expected. The crop typically takes nearly two months to bloom after plantation, but the flowers in Leh appeared in less than half that time.

The experiment could open up new opportunities for high-value crop cultivation in Ladakh, potentially creating additional income sources for farmers, local entrepreneurs, and young people.

From barren land to a saffron field

The experiment began on 1 October 2026, when nearly 800 kg of premium Iranian saffron corms were planted across 4,000 square metres of land in Leh.

These corms, which are underground structures similar to bulbs, help saffron plants grow and produce flowers. The plantation involved around 90,000 corms, making........

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