L-G VK Saxena flags off first consignment of Ladakh-grown Lilium for national flower markets

15,000 “A-grade” Lilium stems from world’s highest-altitude Choglamsar flower field dispatched to Delhi, Mumbai and Chandigarh Initiative to create new avenues of livelihood and bring about aesthetic transformation of Ladakh

Leh, September 29: Ladakh took a major stride towards a new, sustainable livelihood avenue through commercial floriculture, with the dispatch of the first air consignment of Ladakh-grown, exquisite Lilium flowers to the national flower markets. Lieutenant Governor, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, today flagged off the first consignment of 15,000 “A-grade” Lilium stems at the KBR Airport Leh, marking a historic initiative towards establishing new economic opportunities and entrepreneurship in Ladakh. The Lieutenant Governor also presented the bouquets of Ladakh-grown Liliums to each of the crew members, as a symbolic gesture of this initiative.

“A-grade” Liliums refer to the flower stems with 4-5 buds that fetch a premium price. The first consignment comprises red, pink, white, yellow and orange colours – all cultivated at an altitude of 10,600 feet, at the world’s highest-altitude flower field in Leh. These flowers, with a shelf life of 5-7 days, will be sold in various domestic markets, primarily Delhi, Mumbai and Chandigarh.

L-G Shri Saxena termed the initiative “historic” and said floriculture has emerged as a powerful economic tool for creating alternate sustainable livelihood opportunities in Ladakh, inspired by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of financial sustainability of farmers and youth, through diversification of agriculture.

To begin with, 15 local women have been engaged in cutting, sorting and packaging of the Liliums at these flower fields, at a daily wage of Rs 900 per person. A local young qualified Botanist has been given the task of marketing these flowers to the national markets.