Ladakh launches saffron pilot on restored barren land
In short
Ladakh has started a pilot saffron project in Leh. About 90,000 Iranian saffron corms were planted across 4,000 square metres at Spituk Pharka.
This could give local farmers, young people and self-help groups a new source of income if it works. The report does not say how much saffron it will produce or when.
What the reporting says
Ladakh has launched a pilot to grow saffron on restored barren land in Leh, planting about 90,000 Iranian saffron corms across 4,000 square metres at Spituk Pharka. The publisher summary says the project is meant to test whether cold-desert agriculture can diversify local farming and create income for farmers, youth and self-help groups. The reporting does not say the expected yield, cost or timeline.
Why it matters
Ladakh’s pilot saffron project in Leh uses about 90,000 Iranian corms across 4,000 square metres at Spituk Pharka on restored barren land. The goal is to test saffron as a high-value crop in a cold-desert setting and potentially diversify income for farmers, youth and self-help groups. The reporting does not provide output estimates or whether the pilot has been proven successful.