Canada
Indian Canadian Innovator Vikash Sangwan Cultivates ‘Alberta Red Gold’, Saffron Grown Indoors with AI Precision: In a remarkable fusion of technology and agriculture, Indian Canadian innovator Vikash Sangwan has transformed his Calgary home into a smart saffron-growing lab. Using artificial intelligence to control light, humidity, and temperature, he has successfully cultivated what he proudly calls “Alberta Red Gold.”
Sangwan, an IT professional and graduate of the Army Institute of Technology, Pune, has developed a unique system that maintains ideal growing conditions for saffron, the world’s most expensive spice—often fetching up to $50 per gram. His AI-powered setup automatically adjusts environmental parameters to mimic the delicate balance saffron requires to thrive.
“Right amount of light, right amount of temperature, and humidity. Then we’re keeping it dark in here, and temperature around 22°C,” Sangwan told CityNews, explaining his meticulous process.
Transitioning from a personal experiment to a scalable innovation, Sangwan believes his method could redefine Canadian agriculture. He envisions training local farmers to diversify beyond traditional crops like corn, barley, and canola. “We can teach our farmers how to diversify from normal corn, barley, or canola, to something like this—like a superfood,” he said.
Although growing saffron indoors isn’t overly complex, harvesting remains a challenge. Each delicate stigma must be handpicked with care. Currently, Sangwan and his wife handle the laborious process manually. However, he is already developing a robotic arm to automate harvesting, potentially revolutionizing commercial saffron production across North America.
Looking ahead, Sangwan plans to expand his innovation to include other high-value superfoods such as cordyceps, ashwagandha, and traditional Chinese herbs. He believes that the future of Canadian farming lies in sustainable, tech-driven cultivation that blends precision engineering with agricultural resilience.
“With Alberta’s rich innovation culture and the right technology, we can lead the world in smart farming,” Sangwan said. “We have taken out the black gold from Alberta soil. Now I’m introducing Alberta red gold.”
Educated in India’s prestigious Army Institute of Technology (AIT), Pune, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology with distinction, Sangwan’s journey from software engineering to sustainable agriculture reflects a new wave of global innovators merging tech expertise with environmental purpose.
As Canada increasingly explores agri-tech solutions, Vikash Sangwan’s “Alberta Red Gold” stands as a shining example of how one innovator’s vision can cultivate both sustainability and prosperity—one saffron flower at a time.
