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21-Year-Old BTech Grad Turns Entrepreneur, Makes ₹20 Lakh Annually Through Indoor Saffron Farming

Harsh Patil did not want to pursue a regular corporate job after B.Tech. After a lot of research, he launched Patil Farms, an indoor saffron farm, in 2023.

By Ishita Ganguly
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Saffron farmer Harsh Patil

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While pursuing a B.Tech in Computer Sciences, Maharashtra’s Harsh Patil planned to become an entrepreneur instead of working in a regular corporate job. Coming from an agricultural-based family in Nandurbar, he understood the basics of farming. Still, he did not know how to combine technology and farming and start a business. After a lot of research, Harsh suddenly came across some content regarding saffron farming. He was immediately intrigued, though he did not have any practical knowledge about saffron cultivation.

The young B. Tech student’s entrepreneurial journey began with a simple question: "How can I grow Kashmiri saffron, the world's most expensive spice outside its native land?" 

What seemed to be an impossible idea became a mission for today’s founder and CEO of Patil Farms, Harsh Patil. In an exclusive interview with Startup Pedia, the saffron farmer shared his journey of combining his passion for technology with saffron farming and building a brand of his own.

In a state known more for sugarcane and pomegranates, saffron cultivation was uncommon in Maharashtra. Harsh realised that success in saffron farming would require more than just planting bulbs. The process needed scientific innovation, a deep understanding of the plant’s growing conditions, and a relentless work ethic.

Challenges while starting Patil Farms

Harsh Patil founded Patil Farms in 2023. However, building an indoor saffron farm was no easy task. Firstly, Harsh did not have practical knowledge of saffron farming. To solve this problem, he travelled extensively, learning from saffron cultivators and experts in Kashmir.

The next major challenge was duplicating the climate of Kashmir in Maharashtra. Saffron plants require specific conditions for proper growth. To thrive, they need cool temperatures and controlled humidity.

The Maharashtra saffron farmer worked relentlessly to create the perfect growing environment with air chillers, humidifiers, and PUF panels that mimicked the natural habitat of Kashmiri saffron plants. This innovative strategy helped Patil Farms grow saffron in a controlled environment, defying traditional geographical limitations and introducing Kashmiri saffron cultivation to Maharashtra.

“As saffron has several health benefits and medicinal uses along with being the most popular spice, its demand is high,” Harsh informed Startup Pedia. “However, the market is full of fake, cheap variants. Customers are fooled as they cough up a good deal of money to get the cheap ones. My goal was to provide the best Kashmiri saffron to people without compromising the quality!”

Harsh started aeroponic saffron farming in a 15 x 16 room. Aeroponics is the cultivation process in an air or mist environment without soil or an aggregate medium.

Initially, Harsh bought 200 Kg of pure Mogra bulbs from Kashmir at Rs. 800/kg. His initial investment was Rs. 5 Lakhs to buy the set-up equipment and the saffron bulbs that produced 300 gm of saffron.

“I had my own space, so I didn’t need to buy or rent for my farm,” shared the founder of Patil Farms.

saffron farming
Harsh started indoor saffron farming

Saffron farming at Patil farms

The saffron plant (Crocus sativus) has an active growth cycle in autumn. The plant starts losing its leaves in the summer and stays dormant. The summer plant would turn vegetative again with the emission of leaves and the emergence of the flower axis wrapped in white sheaths.

The Saffron plant goes through 3 main stages: The Dormancy stage, Flowering stage and Multiplication stage.

At the beginning of November, Harsh harvested the saffron to get the flowers and stem and carefully extracted the saffron strands from the flowers. The vivid crimson-coloured flowering parts, the stigma and styles, called threads, are collected and dried to use as saffron spice or kesar which is extensively used in food as a seasoning and colouring agent in Indian homes.

Harsh informed Startup Pedia that the saffron plant's multiplication stage is crucial in indoor saffron farming. It is when he gives some water-based mineral nutrient solutions and shifts from aeroponic to hydroponic farming. 

“As a saffron farmer, it is important to save the saffron bulbs while the plant is in the multiplication process,” Harsh Patil told Startup Pedia. “So that next season you will have some bulbs in hand. That would lower your purchase cost!”

The Mogra saffron can be harvested only once a year during the plant’s Flowering Stage. This is usually towards the end of October or the start of November. After that, the Multiplication Stage of saffron bulbs starts. 

Following multiplication, the plant enters the 3-4 months of dormancy stage in the summertime. During this period, the bulbs can be transferred from one place to another or stored somewhere else.

“Again from August, seed them in set up,” advised saffron farmer Harsh. “In October, the flowering stage of the plant’s life cycle begins.”

Currently, the indoor saffron farm gets all its orders from Instagram & WhatsApp.

“Social media is a boon,” admitted Harsh Patil. “Saffron has a huge demand. We get orders from individual customers and even bulk orders from suppliers through Instagram and WhatsApp. Word-of-mouth publicity also has started boosting the sales process.”

At present, Harsh cultivates saffron in a 1300 sq ft area. In 2024, Patil Farms produced 3 kg of saffron from 2000 kg of bulbs.

The current market price of saffron is around Rs. 7 - 8 Lakh per Kg. The price per gram varies around Rs. 700 - 800 at Patil Farms. Presently, Harsh’s farm makes over Rs. 21,00,000 with Mogra saffron. 

While harvesting, Harsh hires 2-3 workers. At other times, he or his family looks after the plants. 

“You don’t need much to do to the plants other than during the harvesting period,” said the young saffron farmer. “You just have to maintain the temperature of the setup.”

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Harsh Patil founded Patil Farms in 2023

 A day of a saffron farmer

Harsh spends the mornings checking on the saffron plants and often works late at night researching new farming techniques and technologies. The saffron entrepreneur is particular in that no detail is overlooked, from sourcing high-quality bulbs to managing each step from drying to processing the saffron threads.

“Patil Farms don't only focus on generating revenue,” the indoor saffron farmer said in the interview. “We are particular that our customers get 100% Mogra saffron unparallel in quality! We want each customer to get the best of the best!” 

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A day of a saffron farmer

Applying technology in saffron farming

The success of Harsh Patil’s indoor saffron business lies in the intelligent combination of traditional farming with modern technology. Patil Farms uses advanced climate control systems and cutting-edge farming techniques to produce 100% pure high-quality saffron.

The B.Tech-turned-saffron farmer has adopted sustainable farming practices to ensure that the saffron farm's growth didn’t come at the expense of the environment. Patil Farm grows premium Mogra saffron known for its intense colour, flavour, and health benefits.

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A blend of farming & technology at Patil Farms

Training new-generation saffron farmers

Currently, Harsh shares his knowledge and experiences on indoor saffron farming with aspiring farmers. Apart from sharing his expertise on social media through "Saffron Diaries," Harsh also conducts weekend workshops. 

This young founder of Patil Farms uses his first 15X16 setup for students to observe, while the new 2 setups are for crop generation.

Harsh offers online training to saffron entrepreneurs. His training is a 2-day workshop held on Saturdays and Sundays for busy professionals to participate. He has students from diverse backgrounds.  Several IT Engineers come to this indoor saffron farm founder to learn saffron cultivation and launch their own farm. 

“I have students from the USA, and France,” disclosed Harsh Patil. “And I have trained over 75 Indians who wanted to start saffron farming,” he added. 

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The saffron entrepreneur working at his farm

From Farm to Classroom

Indoor saffron farmer, Harsh Patil was recently invited by the Agriculture University of Kota, Rajasthan, to share insights on indoor saffron farming. 

“I was so excited to see the growing interest in sustainable and innovative farming practices!” Harsh shared with Startup Pedia. 

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Farm to Classroom

 The saffron farmer’s advice to would-be entrepreneurs

Patil Farms founder Harsh Patil confidently said that farming is the backbone of India. 

“My advice to youngsters would be to start learning how to use technology in agriculture,” he said. “Don’t think farming isn’t a “cool” thing to practice. We are Indians. Most of us have an agricultural background. Now, I am not even telling you to do traditional farming after gaining a lot of education. But if you learn to implement knowledge, modern-day indoor farming practices can be a good career option!”

Harsh assured these days modern farming practices have become easier. Most setups are auto-controlled. The saffron farmer shared that at today’s date, 2-3 acres of automated farmlands can be overseen through an app on your phone. 

It’s wise to start doing indoor saffron farming even if part-time suggested Harsh who wants to continue his business in the long run. 

"Why be a jobseeker?” Asked Patil Farms founder, 22-year-old Harsh Patil. “I always advise the youngsters to become a jobmaker instead,” he concluded the interview with Startup Pedia.

patil farms
Patil Farms

 Also read: Gold Medalist Professor Leaves Prestigious College Career to Become Mushroom Farmer, Makes ₹50 Lakh Annually (startuppedia.in)

FAQ

How is saffron cultivated indoors?
For practising indoor saffron farming or aeroponic farming, farmland is not required. Instead, air chillers, humidifiers, and PUF panels are used in a room that mimics the natural habitat of saffron plants. The humidifier adds nutrient-rich moisture to the air. The plants are suspended in the air in a moist environment.
When was Patil Farm founded and what is its objective?
Maharashtra’s B.Tech Engineer Harsh Patil launched the saffron farm in 2023 while he was a student. He wanted to get out of the job market and become an entrepreneur. At the same time, he aimed to supply high-quality 100% organic Kashmiri Mogra saffron to customers all over the world because he found out that most saffron available on the market was fake or a cheap variety.
How can you become a saffron farmer?
Anyone can become a saffron farmer if they have the patience to learn saffron farming and have some space. In that case, one can start with an investment of around Rs. 5 -7 Lakhs.
How much competition can you face as a new saffron farmer?
Saffron has multiple health benefits plus it is the most sought-after luxurious spice in the world. So, the demand is always high. If you can procure organic Kashmiri saffron and supply it in the market, you will be able to meet the demand and keep generating income.