15k Ladakh-grown Liliums set out for national flower markets

Srinagar: The inaugural shipment of Ladakh-grown Lilium flowers arrived at major flower markets in India on Tuesday, marking a pivotal step towards transforming the cold desert region's economy and providing new avenues for entrepreneurship, according to the Union Territory administration. The consignment consisted of 15,000 vibrant red, pink, white, and orange Lilium blooms, cultivated at an astounding altitude of 10,600ft at the world's highest flower field nestled in Leh's Choglamsar.

These "A-grade" Liliums, adorned with four to five buds per stem, boast a premium price tag of Rs 150-200 per stem in retail outlets.

The flowers, with a shelf life spanning five to seven days, will find their way into various domestic markets, with Delhi, Mumbai, and Chandigarh being the primary destinations. Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena inaugurated the consignment at Leh airport, expressing that this pioneering high-altitude commercial floriculture venture in the region symbolizes a significant agricultural and visual transformation for Ladakh, previously known for its rugged mountains and barren valleys.

Saxena emphasized the potential of this historic initiative to generate sustainable livelihoods for locals; specifically, 15 women were engaged in cutting, sorting, and packaging the flowers at the fields, earning a daily wage of Rs 900 each. The project is also backed by a young, qualified botanist who markets the produce to flower markets across the nation.

The UT administration has directed deputy commissioners of Kargil, Drass, Sham, Changthang, and Zanskar districts to emulate the high-altitude floriculture model by identifying at least 20 acres of land in each district. The Leh flower field, which houses over 25 lakh blooms, was swiftly developed and readied within just two months and opened to the public on September 17 this year, garnering widespread admiration from visitors.