The idea of Shubhavni Smart Farms stemmed from 64-year-old Shubha Bhatnagar's deep passion for farming and desire to positively impact the lives of rural women. As a housewife with grown-up children and grandchildren, Shubha tried to make effective use of her time.

Shubha's research on possible farming ideas led her to saffron cultivation. Despite the high risks and challenges, due to climatic differences between Uttar Pradesh and Kashmir (the traditional saffron growing region), Shubha, with the support of her family, decided to start saffron farming in Indore. Her husband Sanjeev helped with infrastructure, while Ankit and Manjari (son and daughter-in-law) helped with technology and automation.

According to reports, the production of saffron in Kashmir has been declining significantly over the years. Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Arjun Munda reported that as per the data from the office of Financial Commissioner (Revenue), Jammu and Kashmir, the production has reduced from 8 tonnes in 2010-11 to 2.6 tonnes in 2023-24.

In 2023, at the age of 63, Shubha Bhatnagar, a post-graduate in Hindi in Mainpuri district of Uttar Pradesh, launched Shubhavni.

About Goodness

Shubhavni Smart Farms specializes in cultivating saffron using aeroponic techniques, a soil-free method that involves growing plants in a controlled environment. This innovation allows Shubhavni to overcome the climatic constraints traditionally associated with saffron cultivation in Kashmir.

To create ideal growing conditions for saffron bulbs, the company has set up a 560 square foot refrigeration room, equipped with chillers, humidifiers, CO2 sensors, and specialized lighting, which was previously used as a storage space. This method not only ensures the production of pure and pesticide-free saffron but also conserves water and land resources.

Originating from Pampore in Kashmir, the initiative's saffron bulbs provide a high-quality start to their farming venture. From the cultivation of high-quality saffron of Shubhavni, about 800 grams to 1 kg of saffron can be obtained from 1000 kg of bulbs, and the bulbs also increase with time and increase in weight. The process of cultivation takes about 3-4 months to get the result.

Saffron is being sold directly to consumers at Rs 750 per gram through enquiries through Instagram, WhatsApp and e-commerce activities. Shubhvani works through direct inquiries and plans to start e-commerce sales in October.

The Rise of the Health - Conscious Gift

Talking about the health benefits of saffron, the founders say that saffron compounds such as crocin, crocetin, picrocrocin and safranal are known for their medicinal and culinary benefits. Its antioxidant properties, including crocin, crocetin, and safranal, help fight oxidative stress and neutralize free radicals.

Saffron supports cognitive function and memory, protects against neurodegenerative conditions, has anti-inflammatory properties, promotes eye health, aids digestion, and regulates the menstrual cycle.

The company has seen a significant growth in demand due to increased interest in saffron for healthy gifts and various ceremonies. Shubhvani currently serves major cities across India, including Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore, and is exploring international markets for future expansion. The agri start-up is creating awareness about the health benefits of saffron through social media to create a better customer base.

Economic Growth and Future Prospects

The housewife, who became an agripreneur, invested around Rs 26 lakh to set up a cold storage room for saffron cultivation. In the first year itself, Shubhavni sold saffron worth about Rs 10 lakh. The company has decided to focus on establishing a strong domestic presence before considering international expansion. The next batch of saffron will be available in October and Shubhavni plans to double its farm area to meet the growing demand.

Shubhni has made notable achievements, including being recognized as the Agritech Startup of the Year at the Startup Mahakumbh event in Delhi. The company provides livelihood to about 22 rural women who dry and pack saffron. They earn sufficient and steady income from the farming enterprise.

The woman entrepreneur is now 64 years old but is committed to a healthy lifestyle. This inspires them to continue doing what they do with a passion to empower rural women.