Sundernagar (Himachal Pradesh): A local farmer, Ranjit Singh, of Balh valley in Mandi district has proved that nothing is really impossible if a person decides to do it. Ranjit Singh cultivated saffron, considered to be the costliest spice, under adverse conditions on his farm and the plants yielded 10 grams of saffron in the first phase.
Ranjit Singh, who would normally grow vegetables on his farm, has cultivated saffron on the same farm in Balh valley. Ranjit Singh is helped by his son Sunil Saini in agricultural activities. Presently, Ranjit Singh Saini has been successful at producing 10 grams of saffron from the five saffron plants sown on a trial basis in his fields. More saffron is yet to be yielded from these plants.
Ranjit Singh Saini said that he has been cultivating other vegetables including tomatoes for the past 25 years. He said that in October last year, the company provided him seeds of saffron plants on a trial basis. He further said that five seeds of saffron were grown in his field. Ranjit also said that no chemical spray or any manure was used to grow or maintain the saffron plants.
Ranjit said that these saffron plants have been grown organically with the help of cow dung manure. He said that he takes care of these saffron plants himself. He also said that the produce will be tested in the Agricultural University. He also shared that about 50 grams of saffron is expected to be produced in total from these saffron plants.
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