India, Nov. 1 -- An experimental saffron cultivation project launched on restored degraded land in Leh has recorded its first bloom in just 30 days, marking a new development in high-altitude agriculture in Ladakh.

Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Sunday inspected the saffron cultivation site and reviewed the progress of the pilot project, which has reportedly achieved flowering earlier than the usual two-month period required for the first bloom.

Officials informed the LG that the field was currently recording an average of 20 to 25 blooming flowers daily, while a peak of 72 flowers was recorded on Sunday morning alone.

The project has also resulted in the collection of nearly 22 grams of pure saffron within four days, officials said....