Saffron Blooms in 30 Days

An experimental saffron cultivation project in Ladakh has achieved a remarkable milestone, recording its first bloom within 30 days of plantation. This is significantly ahead of the usual two-month timeline for the first bloom of saffron.

The project, which involves the cultivation of premium Iranian saffron over approximately 4,000 square metres of land, has yielded nearly 22 grams of saffron in its first four days of flowering. Around 90,000 saffron corms were planted on October 1, and the site is currently recording an average of 20 to 25 blooming flowers daily.

On Monday morning alone, 72 flowers bloomed, showcasing the project's potential. The land used for the project was previously barren and was restored under Project Him Sarovar, an initiative undertaken to rejuvenate degraded land.

The project was started by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, who inspected the experimental saffron field on Sunday to witness the first bloom. The early success of the project has raised hopes of growing the high-value crop in the region and creating another source of income for local farmers.

## Why it matters The successful cultivation of saffron in Ladakh could have significant economic benefits for the region. Saffron is a high-value crop, and its cultivation could provide a new source of income for local farmers. The project's success could also lead to the expansion of saffron cultivation in the region, potentially making Ladakh a major producer of the crop.

The project's use of restored degraded land is also noteworthy. The land was previously barren, but it has been rejuvenated under Project Him Sarovar, demonstrating the potential for degraded land to be restored and used for productive purposes.