Retired 65YO Teaches How To Grow Saffron At Home, Earns ₹6 Lac Monthly

Born into an agricultural family in a village in Haryana, Ramesh Gera spent his after-school hours on his father's farm, nurturing an early interest in farming. One day, when his father asked what he wanted to become, Ramesh expressed his desire to be a farmer.

"I want you to study hard and pursue a technical career for better earnings because farming has no potential. I've done this all my life and know how tough it is to even pay your school fees," Ramesh’s father told him.

This was a reality check for Ramesh. Since then, he had been pondering why farmers struggle to earn a better living despite their hard work. He became determined to find the answer.

Fulfilling his father's dream, Ramesh pursued engineering and secured a good job at an MNC. Yet, his curiosity about the plight of Indian farmers never waned. His job provided opportunities for extensive international travel, and he made it a point to meet farmers in countries like the USA, South Africa, and others whenever possible.

"I discovered that farmers in these countries use advanced technologies, which enable them to earn well. In contrast, Indian farmers lack the resources and are often reluctant to adopt new technologies," Ramesh explained during an exclusive conversation with Startup Pedia.

After working as a techie in high positions at MNCs for 35 years, Ramesh left his corporate job to pursue his true calling—agriculture. In 2016, he returned to India to renew his visa, but his plans changed when his wife's health deteriorated, leading to her demise. Ramesh decided to stay in India and experiment with different farming methods he had observed abroad.

In 2017, at the age of 58, Akarshak Hydroponics was born, named after his son Akarshak Gera, and later rebranded to Akarshak Vertical Farms. The agri-tech startup provides training to farmers and aspiring farmers on various technical farming. 

Launching Revolutionizing Farming Courses: 

At home, he began experimenting with small hydroponic setups, a method of growing plants without soil. These initial successes, nurtured by ongoing research and development, paved the way for something bigger. Once a model proved successful, he scaled it up and integrated it into training modules. Initially, he offered offline training programs but has now transitioned to online and offline, making this knowledge more accessible.

"Having little prior experience in farming, I had to invest significantly in trial and error. Although I faced more failures than successes, my desire to drive change kept me persevering," said the founder of Akarshak Vertical Farms during a conversation with Startup Pedia.

“Akarshak Hydroponics isn’t just a company; it’s a mission to revolutionize Indian agriculture,” techie-turned-farmer added.

Farming Techniques and Courses At Akarshak Vertical Farms:

Hydroponics: A soil-less technique for growing vegetables using water. Plants are placed in a PVC pipe system with a closed-loop circulation, where nutrients are mixed into the water, providing a balanced diet for rapid growth. This method eliminates soil-borne diseases and the need for chemicals, resulting in a faster harvest cycle (40 days vs. 3-4 months) and the ability to take multiple crops per year (9-10 vs. 3-4).

- NFT (Nutrient Film Technique)

- DWC (Deep Water Culture)

- Aeroponics

- Aquaponics

Each technique requires different equipment and infrastructure. The Hydroponics course, spanning 1.5 months and totalling 32 hours, offers comprehensive theory and practical training. Upon completion, participants will be equipped to build their hydroponic systems and cultivate vegetables indoors. The course includes ongoing support for troubleshooting and assistance with large-scale projects. The fee for this course is ₹12,000.

Microgreens: These are baby plants harvested between the 5th and 12th day of growth, requiring minimal equipment: a seed tray, water spray, seeds, and basic nutrients. They can be grown in small spaces without extensive infrastructure or farmland. A multi-level slotted angle rack with four or five vertical levels allows for efficient indoor cultivation. 

The 10-day course is designed to be completed in 8 hours, offering a blend of beginner-friendly, hands-on sessions and video tutorials. Participants will learn the fundamentals of growing microgreens at home, from selecting seeds to harvesting their crops. The course fee is ₹6,000.

Indoor Saffron Cultivation: Mimicking Kashmir's climate, this method allows saffron to be grown anywhere by controlling temperature, humidity, light, and airflow in a closed room. Saffron bulbs are treated, placed on trays, and nurtured for about two and a half months until they flower, avoiding climatic fluctuations, soil-transmitted diseases, and pest damage.

Yield and quality match the best Mogra saffron from Kashmir, with a commercial value of 3 to 6.5 lakh INR per kilogram. The growth cycle runs from mid-August to November, followed by an eight-month soil multiplication phase. The training charge for this course is ₹12,000.

Ramesh adds, “We also offer significant discounts (up to 50%) or even free training depending on the candidate's situation. Additionally, with a year of close guidance through WhatsApp, video calls, and even face-to-face meetings (free of charge), we ensure students' success."

Ramesh’s training model blends theory and practice. Through lectures and presentations, he lays the groundwork before diving into hands-on learning. His students participate in the entire process during his three-month hydroponics program, leaving with both knowledge and fresh produce, often gaining their families' support for their new agricultural aspirations.

While other programs cater to a wider audience, Ramesh is passionate about empowering farmers. His upcoming multi-layer organic farming program is designed specifically for them, with minimal fees covering food and accommodation. His goal is to make this knowledge accessible and help farmers thrive.

Traditional farming involves planting one crop per acre based on the season, often leading to soil and resource waste. Whereas multi-level organic farming enables the simultaneous cultivation of 4-6 crop varieties on the same land through vertical farming, optimizing space usage.

Journey So Far:

Akarshak Vertical Farms has been training farmers and aspiring farmers for two years. So far, the 58-year-old entrepreneur has trained around 1200 candidates, mostly from India but also from foreign countries.

"Most of the mentees are interested in saffron and hydroponic farming because these farming methods yield better income," Ramesh mentioned while talking to Startup Pedia.

The company operates with a lean structure, boasting a substantial profit margin of 80-90%. Monthly earnings range between Rs. 5-6 lakhs, sometimes peaking at Rs. 7-8 lakhs during peak months. His business ethos revolves around the principles of Truth, Trust, and Transparency (3TR), ensuring his training programs are delivered with utmost dedication and honesty.

Operating with a small team of 1-2 people, Ramesh has managed to keep costs low while maximizing profitability. Over the past 13-14 months, he has successfully accumulated profits of approximately Rs. 85-86 lakhs. 

“I am eyeing for more than Rs. 10 lakh per month revenue once I launch 2-3 more farming technique training modules in the next couple of months,” Ramesh added.

Plans include expanding his team and developing new trainers, aiming to scale up monthly earnings to potentially reach 10 lakhs. Despite financial success, Ramesh remains driven by his passion for continuous improvement and learning, often offering discounts and free sessions to support farmers and aspiring learners.

Vision And Way Forward:

While the initial focus catered to high-end ventures like saffron cultivation, Ramesh is taking a new direction—one that's 100% farmer-focused!

Utilizing his base in Chandigarh-Panchkula, he plans to empower farmers in Haryana and Punjab through:

- Monthly Deep Dives: One in-depth program per month, lasting a week and capped at 25 participants, providing a comprehensive and hands-on learning experience.

- Village Workshops: Conducting 2-day workshops in villages, collaborating with village heads to reach participants directly. These workshops will focus on creating awareness about multi-layer organic farming.

“This approach allows me to explain the concept in person, something online training doesn't fully achieve. By sparking interest through workshops, I'll then invite farmers to the more intensive week-long program for a deeper dive,” Ramesh explained during an interview with Startup Pedia.

He envisions the agri-tech startup as more than just a business; it's a movement, and he is ready to lead the charge!