Nestled within the picturesque hills of Solan, Himachal Pradesh, the place mist-laden mornings embrace the earth, a brand new innovation is taking root. This quaint city, revered because the Mushroom Metropolis of India, is understood within the nation for being the biggest producer of mushrooms within the nation. 

Past the scrumptious fungi and delightful landscapes, the place can also be turning into a breeding floor for innovation. Whereas a lot of the youth draw back from farming — contemplating it low in income — Gaurav Sabharwal is altering the narrative. 

“I do know that many individuals are of the opinion that farming is just not worthwhile but it surely is determined by what you might be rising. Whereas the general public within the metropolis are into mushroom farming, I made a decision to do one thing new to make it extra worthwhile,” he tells The Higher India. 

The 36-year-old is rising saffron utilizing aeroponics in his 300 sq ft setup in Solan. With a managed surroundings and chemical-free surroundings, he was capable of develop 500 gm of the ‘purple gold’ and promote it at a outstanding Rs 500 per gram. 

Need to understand how he grew Saffron that may solely be grown in Kashmir? Right here is his story –

‘Adversity results in innovation’

Born and raised in Solan, Gaurav aspired to observe in his father’s footsteps.

“I come from a small place and had humble goals. After finishing my commencement, I made a decision to hitch my father in working the household enterprise,” he recollects.

With easy goals of increasing his father’s shoe enterprise, Gaurav discovered contentment in following the trail his father had paved.

“It was 4 years in the past when issues modified with my father passing away. There was a debt on our household that we needed to pay, and our shoe enterprise was not making a lot revenue,” he says.

Struck with grief and burdened with the brand new duty of fulfilling the mortgage, Gaurav labored diligently to make his household enterprise thrive.

“Name it destiny, however the enterprise wasn’t yielding a lot revenue, and I felt the stress to make a change. That’s after I started exploring avenues for extra profitable ventures. One factor I used to be clear about – I needed to run a enterprise,” he states.

Persevering with, he explains, “I may see quite a few mushroom planters in Solan who had been incomes substantial incomes. Nonetheless, with the market saturated with producers, costs had been steadily lowering. I realised I wanted to do one thing totally different.”

In search of choices on-line is when he came upon in regards to the treasured ‘purple gold’ – saffron. 

“Everybody is aware of how costly saffron is and the way worthwhile it may be. Nonetheless, I at all times assumed that it could possibly solely be grown in Kashmir,” he says, including that he began researching on the web if there have been methods of rising it in Himachal. 

“The web has all of the solutions and that’s how I came upon in regards to the strategy of utilizing a managed surroundings for rising several types of crops,” he says. 

He discovered just a few situations the place individuals grew saffron utilizing aeroponics. Aeroponics is a manner of rising crops with out soil. As a substitute of planting them within the floor, the crops dangle within the air, and their roots are misted with a nutrient-rich spray. 

“Aeroponics will help crops develop sooner, use much less water, and be extra proof against sure illnesses in comparison with conventional soil-based strategies. It’s like giving crops a bathe of vitamins to assist them thrive,” he says. 

Together with his coronary heart set on rising saffron, he set on a journey of studying aeroponics from scratch. 

Making income and instructing others 

“I did the very first thing that most individuals would do — go on the web and browse up about aeroponics. I discovered a bunch of individuals rising saffron utilizing the method, and I made a decision to contact them, reaching out for his or her assist,” he says.

It was throughout the analysis that he came upon the amount of cash he would want to arrange his farm lab.

“I didn’t have that form of funding, so I sought assist from the federal government. I obtained a mortgage of Rs 10 lakh and even obtained a rebate below PM Modi’s startup scheme,” he says.

With the fitting funding in hand, Gaurav was able to strive his hand at rising saffron in Solan.

“The best issue to contemplate was that the temperature wanted to develop saffron was solely in Kashmir in India. So I needed to mimic that right here in Solan. I used the lab whose temperature will be managed,” he says.

“After mimicking the surroundings and planting the seeds, it was vital for me to maintain a detailed eye on the buds. I used to be not conscious that they will catch fungus and was stunned when my first crop did catch it,” he says. 

“I used to be capable of eliminate it by drying the affected crops and separating them from the wholesome ones,” he provides. 

After almost 8 months of arduous labour and planning, Gaurav was capable of develop 500 grams of saffron in his aeroponics farm. 

“The produce, though not quite a bit, was an excellent signal. I used to be very tense as a result of this was a leap of religion for me. Earlier, I had no intentions of doing something and seeing these buds flower was a terrific feeling,” he says. 

As soon as prepared along with his produce, he was capable of promote it at Rs 500 per gram. “The market charge was Rs 300 however these usually are not pure and are normally chemically grown. I had them examined and mine produce was offered for greater than the market worth,” he gleamingly shares. 

Speculating that his funding will quickly get returns, Gaurav says, “One of the best factor about utilizing this method is that it doesn’t require me to observe the seasons. This makes the produce obtainable to you all year long.” 

The brand new method was additionally very nicely obtained by the individuals round him. “Lots of people in my metropolis have proven curiosity in studying the way to use aeroponics. I’ve already taught it to 5 individuals and I get inquiries every single day,” he says. 

Promoting his produce below the title of Shoolini Saffron, he says, “I’m planning to develop the manufacturing extra and attain extra clients.” 

In the event you want to purchase the saffron or learn to use aeroponics, you possibly can attain Gaurav at 98166 11119.

Edited by Padmashree Pande