Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for the PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, and Department of Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, announced today that the Mission Saffron initiative has significantly expanded saffron cultivation in the Northeast since its launch in 2021. Large-scale cultivation is already underway in Menchukha (Arunachal Pradesh) and Yuksom (Sikkim), with plans to extend to Nagaland and Manipur, positioning the region as India’s next saffron hub after Pampore in Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr Singh made the remarks while laying the foundation stone for the new permanent campus of the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) in Shillong. He emphasized that the initiative strategically utilizes uncultivated land, boosting agricultural potential without disrupting existing crops.
“The development of the Northeast is one of Prime Minister Modi’s highest priorities,” Dr Singh stated. “If you compare the situation before 2014 and today, the transformation is evident. The region, once plagued by connectivity issues, now boasts robust infrastructure, enabling economic growth and scientific advancement.”
He highlighted how government initiatives, including expanded road networks, railway connectivity, and aerial transport, have opened new opportunities for technological and agricultural advancements in the region.
NECTAR’s role in regional transformation
Established in 2014 under the Department of Science and Technology, NECTAR plays a crucial role in integrating technology with regional development. Dr Singh lauded its initiatives, including promoting saffron cultivation in the Northeast, similar to lavender farming in Jammu and Kashmir, and deploying drone technology for land mapping under the Swamitva program. The center is also advancing bamboo and honey production, ensuring sustainable economic growth.
With the upcoming permanent campus in New Shillong, NECTAR aims to serve as a hub for cutting-edge research, technology demonstration, and skill development. Dr. Singh stressed the need for the institution to specialize in a dedicated research domain to achieve national recognition.
“To gain pan-India recognition, NECTAR must focus on a dedicated domain. Just as IITs and other premier institutes have developed specializations, NECTAR too should work towards excelling in a specific field,” he said.
A key player in India’s growth story
Dr Singh expressed confidence in the Northeast’s role in shaping India’s economic future, asserting that the region will be instrumental in India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
“As India moves towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy, the value addition must come from regions like the Northeast, which were previously underutilized. This is the next frontier of India’s growth,” he remarked.
As the event concluded, Dr Singh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering the Northeast through science, technology, and infrastructure reforms, ensuring the region is on equal footing with the rest of the country in India’s development journey.