AgricultureTESTStarted
Iranian saffron corms planted on 4,000 sq m pilot plot at Spituk Pharka, Leh
Leh, Ladakh2 Oct 2026
The Ladakh Union Territory administration planted about 800 kg (around 90,000) Iranian saffron corms over 4,000 square metres at Spituk Pharka in Leh as a large-scale experiment to introduce saffron cultivation in Ladakh. The cultivation is being done on land rejuvenated under Project Him Sarovar, which is linked to irrigation and degraded-land restoration in the region.
Why it matters
If the trial succeeds, it could expand Ladakh’s viable crop options beyond traditional short-season farming and create a new high-value livelihood stream for local farmers and groups.
Ladakh Union Territory administrationCSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM)