Title of Start-up: Mechanization Intervention in Saffron Cultivation: Flower Harvesting, Corm Digging and Sorting Funding Agency Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), GoI, New Delhi, India Need There is great need for change, In Jammu and Kashmir (UT) saffron production is labor intensive, except land preparation, all the farm operations like flowers harvesting, corms digging, corms collection, corms sorting even planting of corms performed 100 % manually. Lack of mechanization in saffron farming is the major factor. In absence of mechanization, it consumes high labor input/direct energy, labor not available at peak time, area and yield is declined due to non-mechanized farm and it also increase cost of production and labor drudgery. Objectives of Startup 1. To develop a hand held device for harvesting of Saffron flowers. 2. To develop a Tractor mounted machine for digging of saffron corms. 3. To develop a power operated machine for grading of saffron corms. Outcomes Well mechanized farm will include: • Increase the productivity per unit area and timeliness of operation • An expansion of the area under cultivation where land is available • Accomplishment of task that are difficult to perform without mechanical aids • Improvement the quality of work and products v. Reduction of drudgery, thereby making farm work more attractive. • Employment generation by creation of start-up/industry in Jammu and Kashmir • Progress and prosperity among rural youth and people associated in saffron cultivation