Ludhiana Siblings Grow Kashmir Saffron Indoor, Sell ‘Red Gold’ at Rs 12 Lakh Per Kg | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: In a striking shift from the traditional saffron fields of Kashmir’s Pampore, two Punjab-based entrepreneurs have successfully cultivated the prized spice indoors using climate-controlled technology, opening a new chapter in India’s saffron production story.

According to a report published in The Tribune, siblings Aastika Narula and Shanker Narula from Phulawal village in Ludhiana have pioneered indoor saffron cultivation through aeroponic and vertical farming methods under their venture “Grow Grower”.

The siblings, both postgraduates in Business Management, are reportedly selling saffron at nearly Rs 9 lakh per kilogram in the domestic market and up to Rs 12 lakh per kilogram internationally. Their produce is being exported to countries including Australia, Singapore, Japan and New Zealand.

Traditionally associated with the saffron fields of Pampore in Jammu and Kashmir, saffron cultivation depends heavily on specific climatic conditions found in Kashmir Valley. However, the Ludhiana-based entrepreneurs recreated those conditions inside a specially designed controlled environment facility.

The report said the siblings invested around Rs 55 lakh in 2024 to establish the indoor farming system, which uses chillers, insulated walls, humidifiers, exhaust systems and LED grow lights to mimic Kashmir’s cool weather conditions.

Speaking to The Tribune, Shanker Narula said four elements were crucial for cultivation — temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide and light. The indoor facility maintains temperatures between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius, while specialised pink and blue LED lights are used to enhance the colour and quality of saffron strands.

Aastika Narula explained that the cultivation process begins with saffron corms procured from Kashmir. The corms are treated with anti-fungal solutions such as neem oil before plantation, usually in August. Flowering begins by mid-November, following the crop’s natural seasonal cycle.

She further said that after harvesting, the bulbs develop into “daughter corms” between December and March before entering a dormancy period till July, allowing the same stock to be reused for the next cultivation cycle.

Their first harvest reportedly produced 1.3 kilograms of saffron, with demand already exceeding supply.

The initiative traces its origins to the siblings’ father, Vikas Narula, a banker who began studying global saffron cultivation techniques during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the report, the family consulted Iranian saffron scientist Ardalan Ghilavizadeh and also visited Kashmir while developing the project.

The development comes at a time when saffron production in Kashmir has faced repeated challenges due to changing weather patterns, urbanisation and declining agricultural returns, even as demand for high-quality saffron continues to rise globally.