Saffron cultivation in a 200 square feet aeroponic lab in Telangana has caught the attention of people. Besides traditional farmers, retired government officers, doctors and professors are some of the backgrounds of people who have called the Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticulture University (SKLTGHU) team involved in the project to enquire details of the cultivation.

The saffron bulbs set up at a lab in Mojerla Horticulture College in Wanaparthy bore flowers the previous month. The flowers were sent to Jammu & Kashmir to know the quality. The results are awaited.

Since the lab can be set up in a small space and key aspects of the cultivation, including temperature regulation, spraying mist, glow lights and others can be controlled through phone cutting down need for labour or extensive space, people were keen to take up farming. The callers, interested in insecticide free farming, also asked if this method can be used to cultivate other crops.

“We are receiving at least five calls a day. We have already offered two training classes. Another session might be held in the coming days,” said Pidigam Saidaiah, principal investigator of the saffron project at the Mojerla Horticulture College — affiliated to SKLTGHU — where the lab was set up. Cost for setting up the lab, time to be invested everyday and equipment required for creating the environment are some of the aspects that would be taught at the class.

The team procured the saffron bulbs from Jammu & Kashmir a few months ago and planted them in an aeroponic lab — where soil is not needed for cultivation. It needs specific temperatures in the day and night time. Water and nutrients are supplied in the form of mist.

Published – December 08, 2025 08:10 pm IST