In an unassuming 400-square-foot room in their flat, a Nagpur couple is growing the world's most expensive spice — saffron — without soil or water. Recreating Kashmir's ambience in one of India's hottest cities, Nagpur, they used an innovative aeroponic technique to produce a yield that mopped up a mind-boggling Rs 50 lakh annually.
Akshay Holey, a BBA graduate, and his banker wife Divya Lohakare Holey, began a modest experiment in 2020 with a vertically aeroponic 80-square-foot unit on their terrace in the Lok Sewa Nagar area of the city. "We decided to cultivate saffron as it's expensive, its demand is high while production in the country remains low," said Akshay. The couple spent three-and-half months in Kashmir over two years, learning the nuances of traditional saffron farming, before embarking on their unconventional venture.
Initially, they brought 100 saffron seeds or corms — around 1 kg — and managed to produce just a few grams. Encouraged by the results, they expanded their operation, investing in 350kg of seeds. "We managed to produce around 1,600 grams, and since then, we've grown to 480 sqm units across two locations, including a 400 sqft setup at our flat in Hingna," he added.
Read more at Times of India