Saffron, which generally grows in Kashmir, is now thriving in the hot and sandy lands of Rajasthan. This feat is achieved with the diligent efforts of a young farmer. Despite being a crop suited for cold regions, saffron is flourishing in the desert. This event proved saffron’s natural ability to adapt to nature.
The market price for Saffron is currently worth Rs 3 lakh per kilogram. Presently, saffron is thriving in a city where temperatures can hit 45 degrees Celsius. Sunil Jajra, a young farmer tried this experiment, which yielded positive results.
This change of location from Kashmir to the desert posed challenges. Moving from a cold to a hot climate made it uncertain how well saffron could thrive. However, Sunil made it possible. He employed aeroponics to cultivate saffron. He created a room in the desert resembling Kashmir, maintaining a temperature of at least five degrees and humidity over 80 per cent. In a 10 by 18 feet space, Sunil grew saffron using aeroponics.
Sunil Jajra shared that during lockdown, he spent his free time researching how to grow saffron. He found out that saffron could be grown anywhere using aeroponics technology. He started working on this project in 2020. Sunil spent Rs 6 lakh on this technology and made a profit of Rs 4 lakh. Saffron was planted between July and August and will be harvested by October and November. Sunil mentioned, “I used high-quality saffron for this.”
Growing saffron in the desert is challenging. Sunil mentioned that at the beginning, he had to buy saffron seeds, but now he can produce many more seeds every year. In the room set up with aeroponics technology, electricity is only used for maintaining the right temperature and humidity needed for saffron to grow as well as to provide the necessary UV ultraviolet light for flowering.
The room’s temperature has to be adjusted twice daily. Sunil shared that farming has always been a part of his family, but he decided to switch from traditional to modern farming. He believes that saffron farming can bring in more profits in a smaller space.
This time, Sunil is planning to grow one kilogram of saffron. Sunil Jajra, who has completed his post-graduation and is the son of a farmer, resides in Choprabadi, Gangashahar area of Bikaner. When his tyre showroom closed during the April 2020 lockdown, he got the idea of cultivating saffron after watching a video.
In 2021, he visited Srinagar, observed saffron cultivation, and consulted with scientists at the Agricultural University. He made several trips to Srinagar to gather information from local farmers about the temperature and moisture requirements for saffron cultivation. Afterwards, he returned to Bikaner and began his farming venture.
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