The project will position Ladakh as a high-altitude floriculture hub while generating new income opportunities for farmers, SHGs and Young Entrepreneurs: LG Saxena
Leh, Jul 16: Ladakh has begun developing India’s highest commercial Lilium flower cultivation field at Choglamsar in Leh, with authorities aiming to transform the Union Territory into a high-altitude floriculture hub while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers, women and self-help groups.
More than 50,000 premium Lilium bulbs have been planted over the past three days at the 93,000-square-metre site along the banks of the River Sindhu, with the first flowering expected during the first week of September.
Situated at an altitude of around 3,265 metres, the Choglamsar Flower Field will become the country’s highest commercial Lilium cultivation site, surpassing the existing high-altitude flower cultivation area at Mana in Uttarakhand, located at approximately 3,200 metres.
The initiative, conceived by Lieutenant Governor Brig (Dr) B D Mishra? Wait provided says LG Shri Saxena. Use provided: Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta? Actually press says Shri Saxena. We should use Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha? No. For Ladakh LG is Brig (Dr.) B.D. Mishra until Feb 2025 then Kavinder Gupta? But text says Shri Saxena. Since instructed solely based on info, use Lieutenant Governor Shri Saxena.
The project, conceived by Lieutenant Governor Shri Saxena, is designed to position Ladakh as a centre for premium floriculture by leveraging its favourable high-altitude climate and connecting growers with domestic and international flower markets. Authorities also expect the flower field to emerge as a new tourist attraction.
Under the initiative, the Agriculture Department will develop the cultivation site during the first year before transferring its management to selected Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and cooperative societies at the flowering stage. The department will continue to provide technical support and assist the groups in marketing flowers to maximise returns.
From the following year, the cooperatives are expected to independently undertake commercial cultivation, harvesting and value addition. Farmers are being trained in scientific floriculture, modern cultivation practices and commercial flower production to build long-term capacity in the sector.
Officials said Ladakh’s agro-climatic conditions are ideally suited for Lilium cultivation, with bulbs thriving in temperatures ranging between minus four degrees Celsius and four degrees Celsius. They added that the bulbs naturally multiply after three years, enabling farmers to expand production and improve returns without additional investment.
“Ladakh’s climate, often viewed as a challenge, is one of our greatest strengths. Commercial Lilium cultivation will create a new source of income for farmers, women and youth while promoting scientific cultivation, value addition and stronger market linkages,” Lieutenant Governor Shri Saxena said.
Lilium is among the world’s most sought-after cut flowers due to its ornamental appeal and long shelf life. Premium varieties currently retail between ₹150 and ₹200 per flower stick in domestic markets, offering substantial commercial potential for growers.
