A farmer in Indore in Madhya Pradesh has pulled off an agricultural feat by growing saffron, among the costliest spices in the world and traditionally associated with the picturesque Kashmir Valley, in his room. Anil Jaiswal, who grew saffron in the second-floor room of his house through the 'aeroponics' method, or one in which soil is not used. He said he planned to sell it at Rs 5 lakh ($5,9) per kilogram in the domestic market, while prices could go up to Rs 8.50 lakh ($10,1) per kg internationally.
The idea was to replicate the climate of Kashmir. The plants have been kept in plastic trays in vertical racks. "It cost me Rs 6.50 lakh ($7,7USD) to create the infrastructure for saffron cultivation in a 320 square foot room. I ordered one tonne of saffron bulbs from Pampore in Kashmir. I expect to get 1.5–2 kilograms of saffron from its flowers this season. The saffron bulbs were kept in the first week of September and flowers started blooming by October-end," he informed. The saffron grown in his room is completely organic, he said.
Aeroponics expert Praveen Sharma said such efforts have been underway in different parts of the country; however, profitability and sustainability would come when the cost of cultivation is kept low.
Source: The Tribune