Revolutionising Agriculture through Parallel Climate recreation in Saffron cultivation through Aeroponics
Case Study
Transforming Agricultural Innovation with NerasTech’s Aeroponics Infrastructure Solutions
Client: Ronak Associates
Project Location: Hebbal, Bangalore
Objective: Establish a state-of-the-art Aeroponics infrastructure for High quality saffron cultivation by creating Parallel Climate of Kashmir
Background
Traditional farming faces numerous challenges, including resource constraints, unpredictable weather patterns, and declining arable land.
Recognizing these issues, Ronak Associates sought a cutting-edge solution to cultivate saffron with minimal environmental impact.
Saffron is typically grown in Pampore, Kashmir because of the very specific climate conditions.
Saffron (Crocus sativus) grows best in temperate, dry climates with full sun and well-drained soil. The ideal conditions for growing saffron include:
Temperature: Saffron prefers temperatures between 70°F (21°C) and 100°F (38°C). The ideal temperature for flowering is between 23°C and 27°C, with the right relative humidity.
Sunlight: Saffron needs full sun, but in hot regions it should be planted in a place that gets shade during the hottest part of the day.
Soil: Saffron grows best in well-drained, loose, low-density, calcareous soil with a pH between 6.8 and 7.8. The soil should also be rich in organic matter and mulch.
Watering: Saffron needs to be watered lightly or misted if there is less than six inches of rainfall per month. Too much water can cause the corms to rot.
Rainfall: Saffron needs adequate rainfall, usually around 1000–1500 mm per year.
Altitude: Saffron grows well at altitudes ranging from 1500–2800 meters above sea level.
Dormancy: Saffron needs a hot, dry dormancy period from about June to September.
As you can see from this, these are very specific conditions which are not naturally available outside Kashmir.
Ronak Associates turned to NerasTech for our expertise in advanced agricultural systems and energy-efficient solutions.
Challenges
Resource Efficiency: Minimize water and nutrient usage without compromising crop yield.
Climate Control: Ensure precise environmental conditions for optimal saffron growth.
Scalability: Develop an infrastructure that supports future expansion.
Energy Optimization: Maintain sustainable energy consumption for continuous operations.
NerasTech’s Solution
Our team designed and deployed a comprehensive aeroponics infrastructure tailored to Raunak Associates’ needs:
High-Performance Aeroponic Systems: Engineered with advanced misting technology to deliver nutrients directly to plant roots, reducing water consumption by up to 90% compared to traditional farming.
Energy-Efficient HVAC Solutions: Implemented customized HVAC systems optimized for aeroponic environments, reducing energy usage by 10 – 20%.
Data Analytics Platform: Provided a centralized dashboard for real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision-making.
This is where we brought cutting edge innovation into this:
Smart Climate Control: Integrated IoT-enabled sensors and automation systems to monitor and control temperature, humidity, and light exposure in real time within the 550-square-foot aeroponics room.
We took it a notch higher by installing IoT sensors in Pampore so that the exact real time climate conditions could be replicated in Parallel in our Aeroponics setup.
Implementation Process
Phase 1 – Planning and Design: Conducted a comprehensive site analysis and developed a tailored blueprint for the aeroponics infrastructure.
Phase 2 – Installation: Deployed aeroponic towers, misting systems, and climate control units.
Phase 3 – Integration: Implemented IoT sensors and data analytics platforms for seamless operations.
Phase 4 – Training and Support: Provided hands-on training to the client’s team and ongoing technical support.
Results
Increased Crop Yield: Achieved a 70% increase in saffron production compared to conventional farming methods.
Resource Conservation: Reduced water usage by 90% and nutrient waste by 60%.
Energy Efficiency: Lowered energy consumption by 30% through optimized HVAC systems.
Scalability: Enabled Ronak Associates to expand operations by 50% within the first year.
Profitability: Low quality Saffron typically sells for 2.5L – 3L per Kilo. By replicating the exact real time climate of Pampore, we ensured high quality yield, which typically sells for 5L per Kilo.
With the overall savings and additional revenue generated, we boosted Ronak Associates Profitability by 38% in just a year.
Ready to Revolutionize Your Agricultural Operations? DM us today to explore our customized solutions for sustainable farming and smart infrastructure development.