Kashmiri saffron now grown in Telangana

Hyderabad: Kashmiri saffron, one of the most expensive spices, has always been a preferred choice for many. From Hyderabadi biryani to desserts, saffron is used to give dishes a unique flavour. Harvested just once a year, saffron, through its red strands gives that rich and beautiful golden colour to food and is synonymous with Kashmir. […]

Hyderabad: Kashmiri saffron, one of the most expensive spices, has always been a preferred choice for many. From Hyderabadi biryani to desserts, saffron is used to give dishes a unique flavour. Harvested just once a year, saffron, through its red strands gives that rich and beautiful golden colour to food and is synonymous with Kashmir.

However, what if one does not have to grow saffron in Kashmir but instead do it right here in Telangana. One Hyderabad-based startup — UrbanKisaan — has successfully grown Kashmiri saffron for the first time in Telangana and the pilot farming of the spice has shown good results.

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“The saffron is grown only in Kashmir as it requires a special kind of weather conditions. We spoke to a few farmers in that region and bought the seed material in August. We created the required temperature and carbon dioxide conditions that are a replica of what it is like in Kashmir to grow the flower from which the saffron strands are derived. We were able to grow A grade quality (topmost) saffron in our farms,” Dr Sairam Reddy Palicherla, co-founder, UrbanKisaan told ‘Telangana Today‘.

He also mentioned that through their innovative growing method, they were able to grow the flower in 40 times less space and with 20 times more efficiency when compared to growing in Kashmir. Usually, saffron is grown only for one month in a year and the rest of the time it remains dormant and buried under the soil. “We are trying to break this dormancy period so that we can grow it two times in a year. The cultivation of saffron is being grown at the Kanha Shanti Vanam in Hyderabad,” said Palicherla, who runs the company along with Vihari Kanukollu, the CEO of UrbanKisaan.

The vertical farming startup uses hydroponic – a farming method that doesn’t involve soil – to grow and deliver vegetables and fruits. Other than buying vegetables and fruits from their different outlets spread across Hyderabad and Bengaluru, one can also buy their home farm kits to grow greens of their choice at home itself. The startup is backed by Y Combinator and also actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu who have invested in the company.

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