Naveen and Praveen Sindhu, two brothers from Haryana, are reaping profits by cultivating Kashmiri saffron at home. Utilizing aeroponic technology, they have successfully grown saffron on their rooftop. This advanced method allows plants to grow without soil, as they are suspended in the air. As a result, the brothers are now earning lakhs of rupees and selling their saffron in the international market.

Business ventures

Praveen Sindhu came up with the idea of growing saffron at home while studying for his MTech. He read an article in the newspaper about the potential of indoor saffron cultivation and shared the concept with his brother Naveen, who was working at a hotel in Britain at the time. After Praveen completed his studies in 2016, the brothers decided to collaborate on this venture. They researched modern agricultural methods and began working to turn their dream into reality.

Learning about saffron cultivation

To gain specialized knowledge in saffron cultivation, Praveen travelled to Thailand, where he trained in growing Cordyceps mushrooms. Meanwhile, Naveen visited Pampore in Jammu and Kashmir, the primary center for saffron production in India, to learn about saffron farming techniques. During his visit, he studied the nuances of saffron cultivation by interacting with local farmers and agricultural experts. He also visited an agricultural university, returning with essential technical information to support their venture.

Business investments

In 2018, the two brothers converted a 15x15 feet room on their rooftop into a small laboratory for saffron cultivation. Utilizing aeroponics technology, they began growing saffron in this space. They invested approximately Rs 6 lakh, which covered the cost of grow lights, humidifiers, a chiller to regulate temperature, and wooden trays to hold the saffron bulbs. This innovative setup allowed them to successfully cultivate saffron without using soil.

Gaining success

Initially, Praveen and Naveen encountered several challenges. They first ordered 100 kg of saffron bulbs online from Kashmir, but the bulbs arrived in poor condition, resulting in their first crop failing. Learning from this setback, they travelled to Pampore the following year to purchase high-quality saffron bulbs directly. This time, their hard work paid off, and they successfully harvested saffron. They gifted the saffron from their first crop to family and friends, which boosted their confidence and motivated them to expand their business.