The 1st Buckwheat Flower Festival was organised by the UT Administration Ladakh in collaboration with Skitchan Kunfun Deton Tsogspa Skurbuchan on September 11 and 12 at Skurbuchan village.

The two-day festival is a part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations commemorating 75 years of India’s Independence. Various cuisines prepared from buckwheat and other farmer's produce were showcased. 

Inaugurating the festival on the first day, Executive Councillor, Agriculture, LAHDC Leh, Stanzin Chosphel said that the Buckwheat Flower Festival has been organised to promote the importance and significance of buckwheat. He said that buckwheat has immense medicinal values and health benefits with the potential of exporting to both domestic and international markets.  

He further added that the Buckwheat Flower Festival would also boost tourism in the region. He said that the LAHDC, Leh would provide all possible support in terms of subsidies to promote the cultivation of buckwheat in the district.

On a concluding day, MP, Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, was the chief guest. He stressed the need for preserving the high-value crop in the Sham region and stated that he has taken up the need for experts, packaging, exporting, marketing, and making various by-products out of buckwheat with the Centre. He also emphasized the need for a primary process unit for packaging and making a variety of products from buckwheat in the region.

JTN also promised to organise the Buckwheat Flower Festival grandly next year and appreciated Skitchan Kundun Deton Tsogspa Skurbuchan for their assistance in organising the event.

Associate Director (R&E) HMAARI, Leh, Dr. Dorjay Namgyal highlighted the importance of buckwheat as a high-value crop with nutritional and medicinal qualities. He also spoke about the Front-Line Demonstration (FLD) scheme and urged farmers to avail of the benefits of such schemes.

Sub-divisional Agricultural Officer (SDAO), Leh, Shakeel-ur-Rehman, spoke on the need for protecting buckwheat in the region due to its value as one of the healthiest foods in the world.

Block Development Council (BDC) Chairman, Skurbuchan, Tashi Yangskit; Councillor, Skurbuchan, Lundup Dorjai; Chief Horticulture Officer, Leh, Tsewang Phuntsog, officials from SKUAST-KVK Leh, district officials, village representatives, and villagers were present during the occasion.

Photo Caption: MP, Ladakh tasting the local cuisine during the concluding day of the buckwheat flower festival.