Siblings Grow Kashmiri Saffron Indoors, Earn Rs 26 Lakh

When Asthika and Shankar Narula watched their first saffron flower bloom indoors, tears of joy followed years of doubt, research, and risk.

The siblings from Ludhiana have turned a single room into a thriving saffron farm, growing the precious spice without fields, soil, or even natural sunlight. Using aeroponic technology, they've recreated Kashmir's growing conditions entirely indoors.

It started during COVID lockdown when their father Vikas, a banker, began researching indoor farming methods used in Iran and the United States. The family spent five years studying research papers, consulting scientists, and traveling to Kashmir to learn traditional saffron cultivation firsthand.

They chose saffron for good reason. One kilogram requires over 150,000 flowers and sells for Rs 3 to 15 lakh depending on quality. Yet India imports most of its saffron as production in Kashmir continues declining due to climate challenges.

Building their facility cost Rs 55 lakh. The family invested in Kashmiri corms, climate control systems, and vertical farming units that precisely manage temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, and light. Nearly 20 percent of their early seeds arrived damaged from heat during transport, but they persisted.

The growing cycle starts each April when corms are cleaned and treated with antifungal solutions like neem oil. Planting happens in August, flowers appear by November, and from December to March the bulbs multiply naturally. The same bulbs can be reused for multiple cycles.

In their first season of 2024 to 2025, Grow Grower produced 1.3 kilograms of saffron and earned Rs 17 lakh, mostly from exports to Australia and Canada. This season they've already sold 500 grams domestically for Rs 9 lakh, bringing total revenue to nearly Rs 26 lakh. Internationally, their saffron sells for Rs 1,300 to 1,650 per gram.

Today Shankar manages production and research while Asthika handles marketing and exports. Their father Vikas guides innovation and strategy as they work with 30 partner farms across India.

The Ripple Effect

The Narulas are honest about the challenges. Return on investment takes four to five years due to electricity and infrastructure costs. But their success proves that farming can happen anywhere, in any climate, without vast land or perfect weather.

As traditional saffron farming faces mounting climate pressures, this indoor model offers hope not just for one family but for India's role in global saffron production. Their experiment shows that with determination and innovation, agriculture can adapt and thrive in ways once thought impossible.

One room in Ludhiana is helping rewrite the future of farming, one precious flower at a time.