From B.Tech to Saffron Pioneers: Innovators Bring Kashmiri Saffron to Gujarat with Cutting-Edge Technology

In the small villages of Nankada in Botad district, everyone is a friend, no matter what they do. Both Ashish Bavaliya and Subhash Kanetiya, friends from this close-knit community, pursued B.Tech studies and thought of something new in agriculture. They came up with the idea of cultivating Kashmiri saffron and successfully implemented it in the hamlet of Hamapar in the Gadha Taluka of Gujarat.

Now selling 9 lakh kilograms of Kashmiri saffron in Gujarat.

In the state, a significant portion of farming is now inclined towards chemical farming due to irregular rainfall, scanty monsoons, excessive rain, and crop diseases. At this juncture, many farmers in the state are gradually turning to technology-driven and natural farming. Many farmers are now adopting technological farming for fruits like mangoes, guavas, custard apples, lemons, and chickpeas. Meanwhile, two friends from the Nankada village in Botad district have pioneered the cultivation of Kashmiri saffron, charting a new path for the entire state.

A whopping 9 lakh kilograms of saffron now imported from Jammu and Kashmir.

In the village of Hamapar in Gadha Taluka, Botad district, Ashish Bavaliya and Subhash Kanetiya, both sons of farmers, pursued their B.Tech studies and, while working jobs, began exploring the idea of unique and unconventional farming. They ventured into saffron cultivation after researching on how to increase production and profitability through social media. Both friends have also studied in the Agricultural Department, which provided them with a 50% knowledge base about saffron cultivation, but they needed to figure out the practical aspects. Subsequently, they started importing saffron bulbs from Jammu and Kashmir, which initially resembled radishes but are indeed saffron bulbs.

A cold storage facility was established in the valley.

Due to the need for saffron to be processed in cold conditions (in a cold environment), both friends, Ashish Bavaliya, and Bhadravadi, decided to set up a cold storage facility in Ashish Bavaliya’s farm. The cold storage featured a wooden frame, an air conditioner, and a machine for extracting carbon dioxide. In addition to these components, an automated system of machines was installed to facilitate sending the saffron bulbs for processing. Since a consistent power supply was essential, they installed a generator and used horses to transport the bulbs, marking the beginning of saffron cultivation.

Success in Saffron Farming After 2 Years of Hard Work

In Gujarat, for the first time, two young farmer friends in Hamapar village of Gadha Taluka, Botad district, have embarked on saffron cultivation. Their two years of dedication have borne fruit, and in the current year, they expect a yield of 1 to 1.5 kilograms of saffron per hectare. They have plans to increase this to 4 kilograms per year in the coming seasons. The market price for one kilogram of saffron now ranges from 7 to 9 lakhs, and their saffron farming is 100% organic.

Charting a New Path with Saffron Farming in Moonghamoola

These two friends have put in hard work and are paving the way for the modern youth. In the village of Hamapar, in Gadha Taluka, Botad district, Ashish Bavaliya and Subhash Kanetiya are successfully cultivating Kashmiri saffron using technology. They possess comprehensive knowledge about saffron farming.