Leh, Apr 26: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena visited the Pashmina Goat Farm at Upshi, reiterating the administration’s vision to position Ladakh as a global hub for premium Pashmina wool and strengthen livelihoods linked to the sector.
During the visit, Saxena emphasised the need to enhance value realisation for local farmers and artisans by improving processing, branding and market linkages. He stressed minimising wastage of raw wool and promoting value-added utilisation of by-products to boost income for farmers, artisans and self-help groups engaged in Pashmina-related activities.
Officials informed the Lieutenant Governor that Ladakh produces some of the finest Pashmina wool globally, known for its softness and quality. The Upshi farm alone produces around 150 kg of raw Pashmina annually. Extracted through traditional combing methods, the wool is processed at a dehairing plant in Leh, yielding about 35 per cent fine Pashmina from raw fibre. The fibre diameter typically ranges between 13 to 15 microns, with baby goat fibre as fine as 12 microns.
The farm, which also functions as a green zone with over 50,000 willow and poplar trees and around 2,000 quintals of alfalfa fodder, is one of three such facilities in Ladakh supporting Pashmina production.
Highlighting its tourism potential, Saxena called for developing the farm into a visitor destination with guided tours to promote awareness about authentic Ladakhi Pashmina and counter misinformation. He also directed the creation of basic amenities, including a canteen, and integration of the farm into Ladakh’s tourism circuit.
The Lieutenant Governor assured full administrative support to promote Ladakhi Pashmina as a globally recognised brand. He also visited the Changluk Breeding Farm and the Intensive Fodder Development Farm at Stakna to review efforts aimed at strengthening livestock and fodder resources in the region.
