Vinai Kumar Saxena, Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, visited the Pashmina Goat Farm at Upshi on April 26 to review efforts aimed at strengthening and promoting Ladakhi Pashmina as a global brand.

Highlighting Ladakh’s immense potential to emerge as a global Pashmina hub, the Lieutenant Governor stressed the need to ensure better value realisation for local farmers and artisans. He emphasised minimising wastage of raw wool and promoting the use of by-products for value-added products.

He also underlined the importance of improved processing, branding, design innovation, and stronger market linkages to enhance the reach of Ladakhi Pashmina products and secure higher incomes for farmers and self-help groups.

During the visit, officials informed him that Ladakh produces some of the finest Pashmina wool in the world, known for its exceptional softness and quality. There are three Pashmina farms in the region, with the Upshi farm alone producing around 150 kg of raw Pashmina annually. The wool is extracted through a traditional combing process and processed at a dehairing facility in Leh, where about 35 percent fine Pashmina is obtained from raw wool.

The fibre diameter typically ranges between 13 to 15 microns, while Pashmina from baby goats can be as fine as 12 microns, placing it among the most luxurious natural fibres globally. The farm also functions as a green zone, hosting over 50,000 willow and poplar trees and producing around 2,000 quintals of alfalfa fodder.

The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the farm’s potential as a unique tourism destination and called for the introduction of guided tours to educate visitors about authentic Ladakhi Pashmina and address market misconceptions. He also suggested developing visitor-friendly amenities, including a canteen, to enhance the overall experience.

He further directed that the farm be integrated into Ladakh’s tourism circuit and that infrastructure be upgraded. Assuring full support from the UT Administration, he reiterated the vision of positioning Ladakhi Pashmina as a globally recognised brand.

During his visit, the Lieutenant Governor also inspected the Changluk Breeding Farm and the Intensive Fodder Development Farm at Stakna, reviewing initiatives to strengthen livestock and fodder resources in the region.