Nagpur: City-based entrepreneurs Akshay and Divya have successfully introduced saffron farming in an urban setting, combining cultivation with training under their venture, Shaya Enterprises. Their innovative approach, which replicates Kashmir’s climate conditions indoors, has garnered significant attention and demand.

In 2023, the couple established a 400 sq ft saffron production unit in Nagpur. They began by planting 750 kg of saffron bulbs, purchased for ₹7.5 lakh (₹1,000 per kg), in vertically stacked trays with specialized grow lights to mimic sunlight. The bulbs were placed in the lab in August, and after three months of controlled lighting, humidity, and temperature adjustments, 4.3 kg of saffron was harvested by November. The yield was then sold at ₹630 per gram, generating ₹27 lakh in revenue.

Beyond cultivation, saffron farming training has become a major part of their business. “We were flooded with requests for training, so we decided to offer structured courses,” Divya says. Shaya Enterprises provides three training packages ranging from ₹7,000 to ₹15,000, depending on the services selected. They conduct two to four batches per month, each with five participants, generating an additional ₹12-13 lakh annually from training.

After harvest, the bulbs are transferred to Kashmir-like soil conditions within the lab to promote multiplication. “Each bulb produces four to five daughter seeds, which are ready for plantation by July,” Divya explains. The new bulbs are replanted in August, ensuring a sustainable, annual cycle of saffron production.

With a total annual revenue of ₹40 lakh, Akshay and Divya are proving that saffron farming can thrive beyond traditional regions. Their success has not only turned heads in the agricultural sector but also inspired many aspiring farmers to explore indoor saffron cultivation as a profitable venture.