The world's highest twin flower fields were inaugurated in Leh, Ladakh, on September 17, officials said.

The fields sit at 11,000 feet above sea level. Growing flowers at this altitude was long thought impossible because of the thin air and harsh climate.

Local farmers have now turned the achievement into a business. On September 29, the first commercial consignment of flowers was sent to Delhi and the national capital region.

The project is expected to give Ladakh's farmers a new source of income. Floriculture joins tourism and apricots as a growing part of the local economy.

Officials say the flower fields could also become a tourist attraction. Visitors already travel to Ladakh for its stark landscapes and monasteries.

The cold desert climate makes the achievement remarkable, officials said. Local officials said the project was developed with farm scientists who tested flower varieties for high-altitude conditions. More villages could join the floriculture push next season.