In a development for Indian agriculture, saffron (Crocus sativus), the world's most expensive spice, has been successfully cultivated in a controlled indoor environment in Wayanad, Kerala.
Seshadri Sivakumar, a civil engineer-turned-agricultural entrepreneur, has employed aeroponics technology at his venture, LNS AgriTech, near Sulthan Bathery. This approach allows saffron to thrive without soil or direct watering, addressing the challenges posed by traditional farming methods.
Mr. Sivakumar's journey into saffron cultivation began with a keen interest in sustainable agricultural practices. After researching indoor cultivation techniques, he traveled to Pune to learn from established setups. Armed with this knowledge, he initiated his saffron farming project, aiming to overcome the limitations of climate change and soil degradation that have hindered traditional saffron production.
One of the key advantages of indoor saffron farming is its remarkable space efficiency. Traditional open-field setups typically plant saffron corms or bulbs 20–30 per square meter density. In contrast, aeroponic systems can accommodate 200–300 corms per square meter, substantially increasing potential yield. An indoor aeroponic setup can produce 4–5 grams of dried saffron per square meter, compared to just 0.5–2 grams from conventional fields. Furthermore, the integration of vertical farming techniques allows for multiple layers of corms, multiplying space utilization by 3–5 times.
Read more at The Hindu