Hemant Srivastava Through a unique effort, he has achieved success in saffron cultivation in Lucknow. However, saffron can only be grown in the cool climate and unique soil conditions of Kashmir. Hemant has grown it using aeroponic technique, in which no soil is needed. Traditionally, growing saffron requires cold temperatures and a special type of soil, making it difficult to grow outside of Kashmir. But Hemant Srivastava, 38, used a controlled indoor environment to do so.
He left a good job in America and came to India.
Srivastava, who had worked in thick packets at a leading American company, recently returned to his home in Vijayant Khand, Gomti Nagar here, and took up saffron cultivation. He told news agency PTI-Video: “After leaving my job in the US and coming back, I wanted to do something unique. I got the idea of growing saffron after watching a video online. I realized that there was not much suitable land in Lucknow. “I decided to try it at home.”
Saffron grown in air conditioning room.
He said: “I went to Kashmir and met the local farmers and learned about their methods. This gave me the confidence that I can give it a try in a controlled environment here in Lucknow.” Using the aeroponic method, Srivastava grew saffron in an air-conditioned room where the plants grow without soil.
What is the aeroponic method?
Aeroponics is a high-tech process in which plants remain in the air and nutrients reach their roots in a controlled system. He also used vertical farming, which allows maximum yield in limited space. “By combining these methods, we can grow more plants in less space,” he said. They have created an environment that matches the cool climate of Kashmir. “In this controlled system, we keep these plants in the dark for two months before exposing them to light so that they get the sunlight necessary for photosynthesis.” He said that saffron cultivation is done on a small scale. He initially invested Rs 7-10 lakh.
Latest business news
