At the age of 64, many people would settle into a quiet life of retirement. But for Shubha Bhatnagar, a homemaker from Mainpuri district in Uttar Pradesh, life was just beginning to unfold in a new and exciting direction. After years of raising her children and grandchildren, Shubha found herself with the time and inspiration to pursue a long-held interest: agriculture. Little did she know, this passion turned into a successful saffron farming business, positively impacting not only her family but also the local community. In their second year of saffron cultivation, Shubha and her family produced saffron worth ₹16 lakh last year and expect to significantly increase this in the coming year.
“I have always had an interest in agriculture, but time constraints didn’t allow me to explore it fully. Now, free from many responsibilities, I wanted to start something new,” Shubha shares.
Dream of Growing Saffron
In 2023, with her grandchildren attending school and her daily responsibilities reduced, Shubha began discussing her idea of growing saffron indoors with her family. Her husband ran a cold storage business, and her son and daughter-in-law were both engineers. The family was initially shocked by her ambition but soon became intrigued.
Over dinner, conversations shifted from daily routines to exploring how saffron, a crop typically grown in the unique soil and climate of Kashmir, could be cultivated indoors in Mainpuri. They began investigating how to recreate the ideal conditions using modern technology, particularly IoT (Internet of Things) to monitor and control the environment.
Saffron caught Shubha’s attention not only because of its high demand but also due to its rarity and health benefits. Known as kesar in Hindi, saffron is one of the world’s most expensive spices, used not only for culinary purposes but also for its medicinal properties.
“I wanted to do something different—something that would give my city a unique identity. I even considered mushrooms, but so many people were already doing that. Saffron was unique, and it had a high demand but low availability,” Shubha explains.
A Business Trip to Kashmir: Learning from the Experts
To ensure they were making informed decisions, Shubha and her family traveled to Kashmir to learn directly from saffron farmers. They spent over a week understanding the cultivation process, the type of soil needed, and the right temperatures for saffron to thrive. They also purchased the saffron bulbs, known for their resemblance to garlic pods, from local farmers.
“We met saffron farmers in Kashmir and spent 8 to 10 days with them. We wanted to learn about the kind of soil they use, the process of cultivating saffron, how long it takes, and which temperatures saffron thrives in,” Shubha recalls.
Armed with this knowledge, the family returned to Mainpuri and set up a cold storage room measuring 560 square feet. Here, they began their experiment to grow saffron using vertical trays in a controlled environment.
Saffron Cultivation: A Modern Approach with IoT and Aeroponics
Shubha’s son Ankit and daughter-in-law Manjari, with their engineering backgrounds, researched ways to cultivate saffron indoors using aeroponics—a modern farming technique that allows crops to grow without soil in a controlled environment. This method seemed perfect for saffron, which requires specific temperature and humidity levels.
By using IoT devices and sensors to replicate the climate of Kashmir and analyzing ten years of saffron production data, they were able to recreate the ideal conditions for saffron cultivation in their cold storage room.
“Aeroponics doesn’t require much land, and vertical farming allows us to grow more in less space. It also uses less water, doesn’t rely on pesticides, and isn’t affected by pests or unpredictable weather conditions,” explains Shubha.
With IoT devices and sensors, they meticulously monitored and controlled factors like temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels to replicate the ideal growing conditions for saffron. After about three months, the purple saffron flowers bloomed, signaling a successful harvest.
“In about 3 to 3 and a half months, the beautiful purple flower emerged and was ready for harvest!” Shubha says proudly. The family named their business ‘Shubhavni SmartFarms.’ Shubhavni, meaning "Our Auspicious Earth," combines Shubha’s name with her granddaughter Avni’s. This name symbolizes the transfer of knowledge and values from one generation to the next, explains Ankit.
Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success
The journey was not without its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles was replicating the cold, dry climate of Kashmir in Mainpuri. “The biggest hurdle was the lack of information. We had to research previous saffron cultivation data and analyze the factors that influenced high production,” says Shubha. But with determination and the support of her family, she overcame the challenges.
The first harvest, which took place three months after planting, yielded a significant amount of saffron. The family sold their produce at a considerable profit, proving that their venture was both feasible and successful.
Empowering Local Women
At the heart of Shubha’s project was her deep desire to help women in her community. Many women in the area worked in the fields or struggled to make ends meet due to their families' financial situations. Shubha’s venture provided an opportunity for them to earn a stable income without engaging in physically taxing labor.
“I would often meet farmers and women who worked as helpers in my husband’s cold storage. Most of these women were in difficult situations—financially weak, their husbands often drank, and their children couldn’t go to school. Hearing their struggles motivated me,” Shubha explains. Today, over 20 women work at Shubhavni SmartFarms, involved in the various stages of saffron production, from drying the bulbs to harvesting and packaging the saffron.
“It’s life-changing for them, and seeing that makes all the hard work worthwhile,” she adds. Through her work, Shubha ensures that these women earn a regular income, allowing them to support their families and provide better futures for their children. For Shubha, this is the true measure of success.
There’s No Age Limit to Learning
For someone who had spent much of her life as a homemaker, stepping into the world of technology and agriculture was no small feat. But Shubha embraced the challenge. She learned how to maintain the temperature and humidity settings in the cold storage, handle computer operations, and even oversee sales.
“There’s no age limit to learning,” she says with a smile. “Self-reliance gives immense confidence and gives you an opportunity to inspire others. Even starting a small business will boost your happiness and morale.”
Shubha’s saffron is now sold online through social media platforms. The demand for her saffron, known for its purity and quality, continues to grow.
Future: Scaling Up and Inspiring Others
With their success in saffron cultivation, Shubha and her family plan to expand production. They are preparing to build a second cold room and increase the area under cultivation, with a goal of doubling or even tripling their output. Shubha also hopes to conduct two saffron harvests a year, further increasing productivity.
Shubha’s long-term vision is to empower even more women through employment and to inspire others to pursue modern agriculture. “Many people, after hearing our story, want to return to their roots and start farming,” says Shubha. Her son Ankit echoes the sentiment: “Farming, if done systematically, is profitable and can create employment. Modern agriculture combined with technology has immense potential.”
A Message to Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Shubha's transformation from homemaker to agripreneur is not only a personal victory but also a source of hope for her community. Through the adoption of modern technology and a distinctive agricultural product, she has positively impacted the lives of over 20 women and their families. Additionally, she has established a sustainable business that has the potential to expand in the future.
“My advice to women is simple: don’t doubt your abilities. Believe in yourself, stay positive, stay motivated, and know that you are capable of anything,” she says, offering a message of empowerment to women everywhere.
In just a short time, Shubha Bhatnagar has transformed her life and her community through her saffron farming business. Her story is a powerful reminder that with determination, support, and a willingness to learn, anyone can turn a dream into a reality, no matter their age or background.
