AAU breaks new ground,grows saffron at varsity farms

AAU’s biotechnology department head R S Phogat,who carried out the cultivation at university’s farm in Anand,says the saffron can be grown north Gujarat region having temperature of 20-22 degrees and minimum humidity required for flowering of saffron plants in October-November.

Speaking to The Indian Express,he said the saffron produced at the university’s farm at Anand in controlled environment was found to be as good as that of Kashmir,including the chemical content. He said all the plants at the university’s farm gave flowers at par with those in Kashmir and female part of the flower called “stigma” used as commercial product was similar to the one produced in Kashmir.

Stating that the saffron plants can be grown in green houses as well by maintaining the required temperature and providing direct sunlight,he said the climatic condition of the north Gujarat districts of Patan,Mehsana,Banaskantha,Sabarkantha and Gandhinagar during the period of saffron cultivation — August to November — were very favourable for saffron farming.

He said the herb,which was used as a natural ingredients in preparing food and drinks,could bring good returns to the farmers because of its high cost in the market,which was approximately Rs 2.5 lakh per kg.