NECTAR: Transmuting North East into a Hub of Economic Marvel

The North East Center for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), an autonomous society under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, is headquartered in Shillong, Meghalaya. The Centre is dedicated to harnessing and leveraging advanced frontier technologies from central scientific departments and institutions.

NECTAR’s mission is to lead the way in fostering, nurturing, and delivering sustainable technology applications for public and social good. The organization aims to extend the benefits of technology to people, communities, institutions, and governments, thereby promoting equitable and inclusive social and economic development in the North Eastern Region of India.

In an exclusive conversation with The Interview World at the STTAR Global Education Conference, hosted by the Seth Anandram Jaipuria Group of Educational Institutions, Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma, Director General of NECTAR, highlighted the organization’s core mandate. He outlined key programs aimed at driving economic development in the North East, emphasized NECTAR’s role in improving the economic conditions and livelihoods of the region’s people, and provided insights into capacity-building initiatives. Here are the key takeaways from his enlightening interview.

Q: What is the primary mandate of the North East Center for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), and how does it align with the region’s development goals?

A: Our mission is to disseminate technology for societal development while simultaneously enhancing capacity-building efforts, especially with the latest technologies. We focus on making these advancements accessible at the rural level, ensuring that society benefits as a whole. With 70% of India’s population residing in villages, particularly in the North East, many areas remain outside the reach of modern technology. To address this, we are actively working to create an ecosystem where these technologies are available and effectively utilized.

For instance, the North East has significant potential in eri silk, muga silk, and natural fibers. However, the region lacks a complete ecosystem to harness this potential fully. Currently, other parts of the country benefit from raw materials like cocoons sourced from the North East. But why not develop the entire production process locally? This is where NECTAR plays a crucial role—bridging the gap and meeting the region’s technological needs to build a self-sustaining ecosystem.

Q: What specific programs or strategic vision does your organization have in place to drive economic development in the North East region?

A: Several strategic initiatives can significantly boost the country’s economy, particularly by leveraging the vast natural resources of the North East region. Consider, for example, the region’s abundant supply of turmeric and ginger. Turmeric from this area has an average curcumin value of 8%, and extracting nano curcumin—a highly valuable compound in the pharmaceutical industry—could create substantial economic opportunities. Given that the North East produces more than half of the country’s turmeric, this represents a significant untapped potential.

Another notable opportunity lies in perilla, a plant not widely recognized but rich in economic value. Perilla oil contains approximately 70% omega-3 fatty acids, far surpassing the 30-40% omega-3 content typically used for heart health. By extracting omega-3 from perilla, we could not only boost the economy but also enhance public health. The economic potential of perilla is evident in its current market interest on platforms like Amazon and Flipkart.

Honey production in the North East also holds immense promise. The region produces 500 metric tons of honey per season, yet farmers receive low prices due to the high moisture content of 25-30%, whereas the global market demands only 15-20%. Establishing large-scale processing units locally could allow us to meet international standards and secure better prices directly from the market.

We are also advancing organic farming in the North East, recognizing the higher market value of organic products. This approach not only reduces the use of chemical fertilizers, improving soil quality and groundwater, but it also aligns with global sustainability trends. Furthermore, the banana tree, often overlooked beyond its fruit, offers significant economic potential. The fiber from banana trees is valuable in various industries, including textiles. We are training local workforces to manage and optimize these opportunities, thereby enhancing their livelihoods.

Saffron, the world’s most expensive spice known for its aroma, color, and diverse applications in the culinary, medicinal, and pharmaceutical industries, is another focus area. Traditionally grown in three districts of Kashmir, saffron cultivation has now been successfully introduced in Sikkim and is being trialed in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, thanks to their suitable climatic conditions. Supported by grants from NECTAR, these efforts aim to scale up saffron cultivation commercially across the North Eastern Region. We are deploying emerging technologies like IoT and sensors to monitor and control the climate conditions for saffron growth. Our research has identified over 70 potential cultivation sites, promising to uplift the economic conditions of farmers across the region.

These initiatives not only capitalize on the region’s natural resources but also represent a concerted effort to integrate advanced technologies, improve agricultural practices, and ultimately drive economic growth.

Q: How is your organization contributing to the economic development and prosperity of the region?

A: We aim to bring advanced technology to this region, similar to what’s already in use elsewhere. For instance, the technology to extract activated carbon, or charcoal, from bamboo is readily available. By establishing multiple charcoal production units, we can directly supply factories that currently rely on diesel or green fuel. Charcoal has broad applications, including in the cosmetic industry. This initiative significantly benefits the environment, contributing to efforts against climate change while also generating carbon credits. To maximize the economic impact on the region, it’s crucial to approach this in a well-organized manner, ensuring that all elements are interconnected.

Q: Can you elaborate on the capacity-building initiatives that have been implemented so far to enhance the economic development and improve the per capita income of the people in this region?

A: I can provide the per capita numbers, but more importantly, we are fully committed to building capacity across all sectors. We focus on areas like bamboo, renewable energy, and aromatic and medicinal plants, which are particularly abundant in this region. In the high-end drone technology sector, we have developed a comprehensive ecosystem. We’ve established a drone assembly and disassembly center where students and professionals can gain hands-on experience and learn the entire process. Across all technological sectors, we are dedicated to creating robust ecosystems that offer both technology demonstrations and training for the entire community.