CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Retired engineer Ramesh Gera has demonstrated how technology can enable saffron cultivation in an unlikely setting—inside a controlled room in Noida, far from the traditional saffron-growing regions of Kashmir. His experiment has since developed into an indoor farming venture and training initiative.
Gera, who spent around 35 years working as an engineer with multinational companies, began experimenting with indoor saffron cultivation between 2018 and 2020. After facing repeated failures during the initial years, he continued modifying his technique and eventually achieved successful results. He also sought technical inputs from agricultural experts in Kashmir.
His method involves growing saffron corms on racks inside a closed, soil-less environment. Temperature, humidity and light are carefully controlled to recreate the conditions required by the crop. The growing cycle takes roughly three months, with harvesting generally taking place around November.
Gera reportedly invested around ₹6 lakh in equipment, including chilling systems, humidifiers, racks and saffron corms. His setup is reported to generate revenue of up to ₹3.5 lakh per month, although the article notes that such earnings can vary significantly depending on yield, equipment, electricity costs and market prices.
His venture has also expanded into training, demonstrating how controlled-environment farming could create opportunities for cultivation even where conventional farmland is limited.
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