From a Homemaker to an Agripreneur: The Story Behind Shubhavni SmartFarms

For most of her life, my mother dedicated herself to being the pillar of our home—always prioritizing family, ensuring we had everything we needed, and never once thinking about starting a business. But at 63 years old, when most people think about slowing down, she decided to reinvent herself.

She didn’t just step into a new role; she transformed into an agripreneur. Today, she is the force behind Shubhavni SmartFarms, a venture rooted in passion, purity, and purpose.

The Dinner That Started It All

It all began on a quiet Sunday evening over dinner. As we sat together—my father (Sanjeev), my wife (Manjari), and myself (Ankit)—my mother casually brought up an idea that caught us all off guard.

“I want to grow saffron,” she said.

At first, we thought she was joking. After all, saffron farming is traditionally limited to Kashmir, and we weren’t farmers. But she wasn’t talking about traditional farming—she had read about controlled-environment saffron cultivation and wanted to try it.

She had a strong reason, too. She wanted to empower rural women.

“Women in villages work so hard, yet they struggle to gain financial independence. If we can build something sustainable, we can create jobs for them, give them a better life,” she explained.

What started as a simple discussion soon became something bigger. It wasn’t just about growing saffron; it was about making a difference. And that night, without realizing it, we had taken the first step toward Shubhavni SmartFarms.

Starting a Business at 63: Defying Age and Expectations

Most people believe that entrepreneurship is for the young, but my mother proved that age is just a number. At 63 years old, she stepped into agriculture, technology, and business—all fields that she had never worked in before.

She didn’t let her lack of experience stop her. Instead, she:

• Researched tirelessly about saffron cultivation
• Learned about aeroponic farming and controlled environments
• Experimented and innovated until she got it right

Her belief was simple: “Sell Less, but Sell Pure.” She didn’t want to compete with mass-market saffron that was often mixed with artificial coloring or lower-grade strands. She wanted to build a brand that people could trust—one that stood for purity, sustainability, and social impact.

Why “Shubhavni” SmartFarms?

When it was time to name this venture, we wanted something deeply personal. The name Shubhavni is a blend of two generations:

• Shubha – My mother’s name, representing auspicious beginnings, goodness, and purity.
• Avni – My daughter’s name, meaning Earth, symbolizing stability, nourishment, and sustainability—a reminder that we must nurture nature just as it nurtures us.

It’s not just a name; it’s a promise—to uphold purity, empower communities, and leave behind a better world for the next generation.

Beyond Saffron: A Mission for Health and Awareness

For my mother, this isn’t just a business—it’s a movement. She strongly believes that people need to move away from processed foods and artificial additives and embrace natural superfoods for their health.

Saffron is one of the world’s most powerful superfoods—it boosts mood, memory, immunity, and overall wellness. But many people either don’t know about its benefits or end up buying low-quality, mixed saffron from the market.

That’s why she actively educates people—whether through social media, word of mouth, or simply sharing her journey—about the real benefits of saffron and why purity matters.

Inspiring a Movement: Reverse Migration and Rural Entrepreneurship

One of the most unexpected yet fulfilling outcomes of Shubhavni SmartFarms has been the inspiration it has sparked. A few people who had moved to metro cities for corporate jobs started rethinking their choices.

They saw what my mother was building, and it made them question:
“If she can create something meaningful from scratch at 63, why can’t we?”

A few of them have now decided to move back to their hometowns (Tier-3 cities) to explore agriculture and agribusiness. This is something truly powerful—what we call reverse migration:

• Bringing talent and innovation back to rural areas
• Reducing overcrowding in cities
• Creating sustainable livelihoods closer to home

I am incredibly proud that my mother’s journey has inspired others to consider agriculture, not just as a profession but as a way of life. Seeing individuals return to their roots, be with their families, and still create meaningful careers is one of the biggest successes of this journey.

A Business with a Heart

For my mother, Shubhavni SmartFarms is not about selling a product. It’s about creating change—

• Change in how saffron is grown
• Change in how people view natural foods
• Change in how rural women find financial independence

It’s a reminder that dreams don’t have an age limit. That you don’t need an MBA to start a business—just courage, determination, and a mission bigger than yourself.

And most importantly, it’s proof that a simple Sunday dinner conversation can spark something truly extraordinary.