Ladakh dispatches first commercial consignment of high-altitude Lilium flowers

Ladakh has dispatched its first commercial air consignment of locally grown Lilium flowers to national markets. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena flagged off 15,000 ‘A-grade’ stems from KBR Airport in Leh, marking a significant step toward developing floriculture as a sustainable livelihood and entrepreneurship avenue in the region.

Cultivated at an altitude of 10,600 feet in the Choglamsar flower field, the consignment includes red, pink, white, yellow, and orange Liliums. These flowers are destined for major domestic markets, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Chandigarh. The ‘A-grade’ stems, characterized by having four to five buds, are expected to fetch premium prices in the floral and hospitality sectors.

The project aims to diversify agriculture and improve socio-economic prospects for local residents. Currently, the initiative has provided employment to local women for cutting, sorting, and packaging, and has engaged a local botanist to manage national marketing efforts. The flower field has also become a point of interest for visitors since its opening in September.