Saffron farming is done only in few place to cultivate the world’s most expensive spice. In India the saffron is produced only from Kashmir and its annual production is 3.83 tonnes whereas the annual demand is around 100tonnes (source: credit Nature journal). There is always a huge demand for pure saffron in India. Hence there is need for saffron Aeroponics/indoor saffron cultivation
Saffron farming/Saffron Aeroponics/ Indoor Saffron Farming or Cultivation. The Future of Saffron Cultivation
As we know the majority of saffron farming is done traditionally under natural conditions. Its cultivation is limited to a few geographical regions around the world. The traditional method of saffron farming is a labour-intensive process and is accompanied by many challenges, the major one being climate change. With the help of the saffron Aeroponics technique, it has become very easy and possible to do saffron farming in other parts of the world. The main advantage of saffron Aeroponics is that we have complete control over conditions like temperature, humidity and disease management. It is pertinent to mention that indoor saffron farming or saffron Aeroponics allows us to plant high-density saffron corms in a small space, thereby helping us to increase saffron production manifold. The Saffron Aeroponics technique breaks the barrier of geographical limitation for saffron farming. We have seen many people interested in learning the same technique and have trained many so far. We have designed this technique in such a way that anybody with any background can understand the saffron Aeroponics technique very easily and can practice saffron farming at home.
What Is Saffron Farming?
Saffron farming means cultivation or growing saffron in a farmland. Saffron is extracted from saffron flowers which develop from saffron corms. Saffron corms are reduced stems and they produce first flowers and then leaves. Saffron farming is practised in few geographical regions like Iran, India-Kashmir, Afghanistan, Greece, Spain etc. The major producers are Iran and India-kashmir.
Why Saffron Is So Expensive?
Saffron is extracted from saffron flowers and each flower is a delicate flower bearing three red stigmas (which is actual saffron). In order to understand why saffron is so expensive, we need to understand how it is grown and processed. For example, Once the saffron flowering occurs, the flowers need to be collected manually and after collection of huge number of flowers, the saffron (red stigmas) are to be removed manually. This whole process of collection and extraction of saffron from the flowers is a labour intensive process. Once the saffron is extracted from the flowers, it must be dried under shade so that it loses 90% of moisture. When saffron is dried its weight further reduces due to loss of moisture. All these factors together make saffron so expensive.
Morphology: Saffron plant is a very small plant. It has a small modified underground stem called corm. Each corm is round in shape and externally covered by a protective sheath called tunic. A saffron corm bears a number of circular nodes which give rise to 4-6 baby corms after flowering period is over.
Saffron Farming in India/Pune
Saffron farming in India has been in the news for the last few years as due to the development of the saffron aeroponic technique, it has become possible to grow saffron in other parts of India like Pune, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Darjeeling etc. Some people have already started in Pune, and some have even used containers instead of using a room. So this Aeroponics technique is quite useful now in establishing saffron farming units in different parts of India.
Saffron farming at home
Saffron farming is done only in a few geographical regions around the world due to their climatic conditions. However, with the advancement in technology, now you can grow saffron at home. This is possible only by using the saffron Aeroponics technique. All you need is to know the technique. We are on a mission to help people grow saffron at home and start their vertical saffron farms by using our proven and tested saffron Aeroponics technique. You can join our training on saffron Aeroponics Technique where we guide you in every step on how to grow saffron at home.
Growing Saffron Without Soil
When saffron corms are planted in soil under the traditional method of saffron farming, the type of soil matters a lot and becomes an important factor in deciding the growth and development of saffron corms (Crocus). However, with the help of the saffron Aeroponics technique, it is very easy to grow saffron anywhere without using soil. So this technique has removed the soil requirement for saffron farming.
Saffron is grown only in few places around the world like Iran which is the number one producer of saffron (80.88%). In India saffron/kesar farming is done only in Kashmir (5.05% production). The other countries like Afghanistan, Morocco, Spain, China and Italy produce lesser quantity.
Is Saffron Farming Profitable?
As we know saffron farming can be done either through traditional methods using a large piece of farmland or by using saffron Aeroponics. Saffron farming has always been a profitable business either way. However, it fetches more yield and profit when done aeroponically under controlled conditions because we can use the same quantity of saffron corms(seed) in a small space which we use in a big piece of farmland. Therefore, there is no doubt about saffron farming being profitable.
How to Saffron Farming?
Broadly speaking saffron is cultivated using the traditional way of saffron farming. However, due to the development of saffron Aeroponics technique, it is now easy for anyone to do saffron farming.
Saffron farming profit per acre
When we do saffron farming on a farmland we often calculate how much saffron I am going to get every year. One acre of land is equal to 8 kanal (43560 sq. ft). Now depending on the density of saffron corms(Crocus) planted, the quantity of saffron varies. For example, if you do high density plantation of saffron corms (Crocus) you can get dried marketable saffron between 2 to 3Kgs. Which is roughly 1.5 million rupees. So this is the reason why saffron farming is profitable.
Mongra saffron: It is the premium quality saffron. It is crimson red with distinctive aroma. It mainly consists of stigma alone. This is considered Grade A saffron and is being sold at higher prices across globe.
Saffron Farming in Container
With the development of saffron Aeroponics technique, we can grow saffron in every part of the world. The Aeroponics technique needs a closed space like a room or a container where you can control all the conditions necessary for the growth and development of saffron corms. You have no restrictions with respect to what kind of space you are using. All you need is a closed space. Now if you do not have a room in your home, you can use a container without any problem for growing saffron at home.
Saffron Aeroponics System
In the saffron Aeroponics system, there is no requirement for either water like in hydroponics or soil. Saffron Aeroponics purely focuses on growing saffron aeroponically by providing them nourishment through the air in the form of fog.
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Traditional cultivation Method
Cultivation method: Saffron is a rain-fed crop and does not need much water for its growth. The annual rainfall requirement is 600mm. It is cultivated on open farmlands. In India, saffron farming or kesar farming is done on raised soil beds prepared in September to plant the saffron corms. Kashmir is the only place in India where farmers practice saffron farming/cultivation (kesar farming/cultivation). Saffron/Kesar farming requires huge farmland and is accompanied by many challenges like drought, diseases, rodents and so on.
Need of modern farming: As there are many challenges including lesser saffron production in the farming of saffron under natural conditions using traditional methods, there is a need to modernize the farming method using special techniques like indoor saffron farming and Aeroponics technique.
Indoor Saffron Farming/Saffron Aeroponics
It is a modern, novel and simple to learn and use technique in order to increase the saffron yield many folds. The technique requires minimal resources and can be done anywhere in the world. Thus making it possible to grow saffron across the globe. Saffron Aeroponics can be done easily at home without requiring to have any specific scientific or technical background.
Aeroponic saffron farming training in India: Recently indoor saffron farming has gained popularity in India and more and more people are showing interest in learning the same technology. We have developed a robust protocol and a comprehensive training module which can be learnt by anyone anywhere in the world. We provide the best training on saffron Aeroponics technique to grow saffron.
Saffron Aeroponics Farming Training in India
Nowadays more people are adopting the aeroponics technique in saffron cultivation as the traditional method has not produced much yield. We are committed to providing the best quality training on the same so that people become well-skilled in saffron aeroponic techniques around the world.