Table of Contents:
1. Introduction
2. Market Demand for Saffron in the World
5. Step-by-Step Guide to start your saffron farming business in 2025
6. Legal and regulatory considerations
7. Channels for Marketing and Selling Saffron in India
8. Complete Financial breakdown
9. Value addition of saffron flower
10. Conclusion
1. Introduction:
While brainstorming of the most profitable Agri-business ideas, this particular Agri-business ranks at the top list. We all aware of the one precious metal whose market price has reached an exponential growth in just one decade i.e. the Gold. But, "Have you heard of a produce that received a tag of red gold?". Yes, it's the saffron I'm talking about. Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. I mean it's the most expensive in the sense that, nearly 150 flowers are required in order to make just 1 g of dry saffron! With this 1 g of saffron, it's packed with a wide range of benefits and being utilised in culinary, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries worldwide.
The global saffron market is currently valued at approximately $1.12 billion in 2024, with a projected value of $1.83 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.3%. What is beauty in saffron farming is that, our country India stands as the second-largest producer of saffron in the world. In India, saffron is widely cultivated in Kashmir owing to its ideal cool climatic conditions. But in the recent days, traditional cultivation of saffron in the outdoor environment in Kashmir has dropped significantly with 68% decline over the past 2 decades. Statistics from Agricultural Department shows that, area under saffron cultivation decreased from 5,707 ha in 1996-97 to 2,387.71 ha in 2018-19. The production of saffron has fallen to 15.95 metric tonnes in 1990s to just 2.6 metric tonnes in 2023-24.
Adhering to the cool weather in Kashmir where saffron is immensely cultivated, it's adaptation in the warm climate is real a challenge. But this barrier can be broken, by cultivating saffron via indoor aeroponics technique, even in a 15*15 room, by installing vertical multi-tier racks. This indoor saffron farming offers alternative alternative suitable for farmers with small landholdings. This technique has innumerable benefits like reduction of water and chemical usage, offering better control over environmental conditions and requirement of less labour. In this upcoming article, we are gonna learn about the "Step-by-Step Guide to Start Successful Indoor Aeroponics Saffron Farming in India", right from its growth stages, procurement of vegetative material, establishment setup of unit, market demand and the complete financial breakdown and profitability. Let's dive into a business that has the potential of reaping you profits and turn you into one among the wealthiest persons in India.
2. Market demand:
Throughout 2025 to 2035 the Saffron Market will expand to a market value of USD 745.16 Million because saffron is a highly valuable spice. The total market revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.3% from 2024 to 2030. Growing health consciousness, its medicinal properties, nutraceuticals, flavour and colour, inclusion in skin care industry has contributed significantly to growing market demand all round the world. Total world production of saffron is around 300 tons per year. Iran, India, Spain and Greece are the major saffron producing countries with Iran occupying the maximum area and contributing about 88% of world’s saffron production. The adoption of saffron in global cuisines broadens its saffron market. Supportive policies promoting saffron cultivation and trade in regions like Iran, India, and Spain stimulate saffron market growth.
3. Health Benefits of Saffron:
Saffron, derived from the Crocus sativus flower, offers a range of potential health benefits due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties These benefits include:
A) Improves of mental health :
Saffron has certain bio-active compounds like crocin and safranal, which has shown promise as a natural treatment for mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression.
B) Boosts Heart Health
Saffron contains antioxidants and anti inflammatory effects which can improve the cardiovascular health. Saffron has clinical proven in reducing certain heart disease risk factors such as high level of blood pressure , blood sugar and cholesterol.
C) Improves eye health :
Research has shown that saffron consumption has significantly increased visual acuity and protect against damage to retina
D) Weight management:
Saffron help reduce appetite and aid in weight loss by decreasing cravings and promoting feelings of fullness.
4. Growth Stages of Saffron:
Saffron passes 3 different stages in its lifetime:
• Dormancy stage
• Flowering stage
• Multiplication stage
During August, corms are procured and transplanted in trays in indoor aeroponics unit. During September, the corms begin to sprout. In the month of October, peak maturity stage is attained. Flowering stage extends upto first week of November. In between January to March, multiplication of corms take place. One mother corm produces 2 daughter corms. Immediately after the multiplication stage, the crop undergoes dormancy between April-July, in order to reserve energy for the upcoming cycle.
5. Step-by-Step Guide to start your saffron farming business in 2025
I) Establish a controlled environment:
As we're going to mimic the Kashmir's climatic conditions, at first we've to established a controlled environment conducive for saffron to thrive. For this, thermocol/puff panels used as insulation of room to control temperature. In addition to this, machineries are installed to imitate Kashmir's climate. Chillers used for cold storage and humidifier to control temperature. Temperature of 15-20° C to be maintained in September during sprouting period. From October - November, a temperature of 5-7° C is optimum at the time of flowering. No direct harsh sunlight should be provided to saffron. Instead, grow lights used, which are red and blue light combined with a white light. Luxmeter to measure to measure quantity of light. CO2 can be controlled by using a cylinder that diffuses carbon-di-oxide through fan by air circulation.
The room is kept dark for 90-100 days to promote physiological changes needed for sprouting, flowering and is achieved by covering windows with black cloth or cardboard. Well, the good news is, you can control all these parameters like temperature, light, humidity and CO2 smartly by mobile application using Artificial intelligence.
II) Procurement of bulbs
Once setting up of a controlled environment is done, the next step on your checklist will be procuring quality saffron bulbs for sprouting. Corms weighing 8 g are suitable to attain uniform maturity and flowering. Mogra is the best performing variety of bulbs and is procured from Kashmir.
III) Bulb treatment process
As soon as saffron bulbs are procured, sort out the bulbs as per their size and remove dirt and mud. Dip the bulbs in neem oil solution to prevent from bacterial contamination. And then, dry the bulbs naturally inside the room under the fan. Place these bulbs on trays for sprouting. Plastic trays are preferred as they're less prone to fungal attack.
IV) Maintenance of temperature and sanitation
Unlike traditional farming which utilizes soil for growth, in aeroponics technique, bulbs are grown in soil-less media and nutrients are supplied through air. Thus, installation of air conditioners that automatically regulate temperature is mandatory. If the desired temperature is attained, it automatically switches off and as soon as the temperature reduces 3°C, it restarts. Solar energy can be harnessed to reduce power costs.
Relative humidity of the room has to be maintained between 60-70%. Do not let anyone enter your unit and if necessary, wear mask and apply sanitizers no, so that there's no risk of diseases affecting the bulbs.
V) Harvesting of stigma sticks
The final stage comes the harvesting of saffron's economical part (the red thread-like structure). Saffron can be harvested once a year, when you notice a fulll bloom purple flowers. Harvesting period falls in late October. In each saffron flower, 3 stigma sticks can be harvested with the help of tweezers. After harvesting, place the stigma sticks on a clean cloth and dry them naturally under the fan. Saffron can be graded from 1 to 4. The best quality saffron belongs to grade 4, with high saffronel content.
Once harvesting of stigma sticks are done, it then enters the next phase i.e. multiplication stage of daughter corms. Multiplication of daughter corms require soil and cocopeat media. It takes about 4 months for daughter corms to get multiplied into two. These bulbs can be saved for the next cycle.
6. Legal and regulatory considerations:
Legal and regulatory considerations to obtain before setting up your indoor aeroponics saffron farming unit requires the following:
• Acquisition of agricultural business licenses, food safety laws related to saffron production.
• Ensuring compliance with organic certification standards and FSSAI regulations for domestic sales and ISO or HACCP standards for international exports.
7. Channels for Marketing and Selling Saffron in India:
I) Traditional B2B (Commercial/Wholesale)
• The Middlemen and local traders in Kashmir handle 50% of grower sales and nearly 41% go through sub-firms or agents.
• Exporters and bulk suppliers sell saffron to industries like food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Domestic B2B in India accounts for about 60% of the global saffron distribution.
II) Modern Trade (Retail)
• Supermarkets & hypermarkets: Big chains include saffron in their spice sections, allowing physical purchase and trust in authenticity.
• Specialty/gourmet stores: Focus on niche, high-quality saffron, curated offerings for discerning customers.
III) E-commerce & Direct-to-Consumer
• High-growth channel in India. Producers sell via their own websites, Amazon and other market places, providing product details, reviews and traceability.
• Enables subscription models, bundled sales (recipes, value-add) and tiered pricing.
IV) Farmers’ Markets & Local Retail:
• Small growers sell at regional/regenerative (For instance: direct-to-consumer fairs) or local bazaars, highlighting authenticity and origin
• In Pampore and Kashmir, growers deal directly with visiting buyers or temple commissioners.
V) Online Promotion & Digital Marketing:
• Social media campaigns (Instagram, Facebook), influencer and chef endorsements to drive awareness.
• Email newsletters targeting gourmet cooks, health-food lovers, chefs, with recipes and saffron benefit education.
• Video content/YouTube, educational clips on sourcing, cooking, benefits, farming, helps build brand and trust.
VI) Value‑Added & Premium Tie‑Ups:
• Collaborations with gourmet restaurants, wellness brands, cosmetics companies (like Forest Essentials) and nutraceuticals.
• Certification & authentication: GI tags (For instance: Kashmir saffron), QR codes (For example: Tata Himalayan), support traceability and premium pricing.
VII) Institutional Channels:
• Government trading centres (Example: Pampore Saffron Trading Centre) for scientific post-harvest handling, stockmilling, grading, cold storage. These facilities facilitate formalized transactions, better transparency, and connect growers to buyers.
8. Complete Financial breakdown of Saffron Farming in India by Indoor Aeroponics technique:
I) Setup (Capital Costs):
For controlled environment setups (~500 sq ft or small room):
• LED lights, racks, trays and climate control costs ₹3,00,000 for small-scale
• Corms: ₹1,00,000 per quintal
II) Operational Costs
• Electricity, labour, nutrients: ₹200,000/year (for 500 sq ft)
III) Yield & Revenue (Scaled to 1 ha equivalent)
• A 500 sq ft room (~46 m²) yields 2 kg/year
• Revenue - 1 kg can make returns of ₹3,00,000 (₹3 lakh/kg)
IV) Profitability
Niche scale: ₹500k profit on ₹1M investment.
BCR = 3.99 : 1
9. Value addition in saffron flower:
Cosmetics from Saffron Apart from the stigma extracted from saffron flower which is especially used in cosmetic industry, saffron offers space for several value-addition, which includes:
I) Food products :
• Saffron-infused foods: Saffron is used to enhance the flavor and color of dishes like rice, desserts and beverages.
• Saffron-based premixes: Powders for desserts, creme caramel, beverages, and even cake mixes incorporate saffron.
•Saffron-flavored and colored products: Tepals of saffron are rich in anti-oxidants like flavonoids and carotenoids and are utilised in flavouring for liquors, candies and other food items for its unique taste and color.
• Saffron-based soups: Semi-ready to use saffron soups are also a recent addition to the market.
II) Cosmetics:
• Saffron-infused skincare: Saffron extract and its byproducts are used in creams, toners, and other skincare products for their potential anti-aging, anti-wrinkle and anti-dark spot properties.
• Saffron in perfumery: Saffron's aroma is utilized in perfume formulations.
III) Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals:
• Saffron-based supplements: Stamens of saffron has rich anti-microbial property and is used in manufacturing nutraceutical products.
• Therapeutic applications: Saffron and its byproducts are being explored for various therapeutic uses due to their antioxidant and other bioactive properties.
10. Conclusion
As long as the quest for beauty lasts among the people, cosmetic industry continues to bloom. In turn, saffron farming will proceed to be an ever-green agri-business that realizes lucrative returns. With adequate training and support by the government to our farmers and youngsters on indoor aeroponics saffron farming and market access, our country has the prospective of becoming world's leading producer of saffron. The next gen farming not only ensures better yield and purity but also opens new avenues for sustainable, high-value agriculture. With the right knowledge, investment and dedication, you can turn your indoor space into a golden garden of saffron success.
Related article: How to start Microgreens Farming Successfully with Minimum Investment in 2025?
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