Northeast to become India’s next saffron hub: Dr Jitendra Singh

New Delhi, Mar 13: The Northeast is set to become India’s next major saffron hub under the ‘Mission Saffron’ initiative, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced. The project, launched in 2021, has expanded saffron cultivation in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya, with large-scale farming underway in Menchukha (Arunachal Pradesh) and Yuksom (Sikkim). Plans are in place to extend cultivation to Nagaland and Manipur. Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the new NECTAR campus in Shillong, Dr. Singh emphasised the government’s commitment to transforming the region through science and technology.

“The Northeast’s development is a top priority for Prime Minister Modi, and initiatives like expanded connectivity and agri-tech advancements are driving growth,” he said.

NECTAR, an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology, is playing a key role in promoting saffron cultivation, advancing drone technology for land mapping, and enhancing bamboo and honey production. Dr. Singh urged NECTAR to specialise in a focused area of research to gain national prominence. He highlighted the Northeast’s growing role in India’s economic progress, expressing confidence that the region will significantly contribute to India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.