SHILLONG, March 14: Union Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on Thursday emphasized the North East’s immense potential to become India’s next saffron hub, following the success of Jammu and Kashmir’s saffron cultivation. Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the permanent campus of the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) in Shillong, Singh highlighted the government’s Mission Saffron initiative, which started in 2021 to promote saffron cultivation across the region.

Singh noted that large-scale saffron farming is already underway in Menchukha (Arunachal Pradesh) and Yuksom (Sikkim), with future expansion planned for Nagaland and Manipur. He praised NECTAR for its efforts in diversifying agricultural activities, including the introduction of saffron, and its innovative work in drone technology and flood vulnerability assessments. The Mission Saffron initiative, part of the government’s larger vision for a “Viksit Bharat,” aims to leverage the region’s untapped agricultural potential without disrupting existing crops.

The union minister also lauded NECTAR for its growing impact, focusing on various sectors, from bamboo cultivation to beekeeping. He encouraged the institute to continue contributing to the creation of an “Atmanirbhar North East,” aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for equitable growth in the region. With the North East’s fertile yet underutilized land, Singh expressed confidence that the region could soon emerge as the nation’s saffron capital, replicating Jammu and Kashmir’s success.

Through initiatives like Mission Saffron, the government aims to boost local economies, promote sustainable agriculture, and establish the North East as a key player in India’s agricultural landscape.