Context: North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) under Saffron Bowl project has identified few locations in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya for saffron cultivation.

• In Arunachal Pradesh, there is a good growth of organic saffron with flowers.
• In Meghalaya, sample plantations were grown at Cherrapunji, Mawsmai and Lalingtop sites.

About Saffron

• It is a plant whose dried stigmas (thread-like parts of the flower) are used to make saffron spice.
• It represents the rich cultural heritage of the J&K region.
• It is a very precious and costly product.
• It is referred to as ‘bahukam’ in ancient Sanskrit literature.

Topography: It is cultivated and harvested in the Karewa (highlands) of J&K.

Uses: (1) It rejuvenates health; (2) It is used in cosmetics and for medicinal purposes.

Duration: It is usually cultivated during June and July and at some places in August and September.

Saffron grows well at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. 

• It needs 12 hours of sunlight.
• It grows in many different soil types but thrives best in calcareous (soil that has calcium carbonate in abundance), humus-rich and well-drained soil with a pH between 6 and 8.

Temperature: Ranging from 35 or 40 degree Celsius in summer to about –15 or –20 degree Celsius in winter.

• It also requires adequate rainfall that is 1000-1500 mm per annum.

Reason for Extending Saffron Cultivation to the North- East
As per research done in the Botany and Horticulture department of Sikkim Central University, the soil condition of Yangyang in Sikkim is almost similar to the quality found in saffron growing regions of Kashmir 

• Climate Condition: The similarity in the climatic conditions of Pampore in Kashmir and Yangyang in Sikkim is another reason for the successful cultivation of saffron seed/corm.
• Rising Demand: India cultivates about 6 to 7 tonnes of saffron while the demand is 100 tonne.
• Transform NE India economic profile: It will also diversify agriculture and provide new opportunities to the farmers in the North-East.

Saffron Bowl

• Pampore region of Kashmir is commonly known as saffron bowl. This region is the main contributor of saffron production.
• Apart from pampore, Srinagar and Kishtwar region of Jammu and Kashmir contributes in saffron production.

Saffron production

• Iran, India, Spain and Greece are the major saffron producing countries with Iran occupying the maximum area and contributing about 88% of world's saffron production.
• Though, India occupies the 2nd largest area but produces approximately 7 per cent of the total world production.

About North East Centre For Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR)

• NECTAR is an autonomous society set up under the Department of Science & Technology.
• The Centre looks at harnessing and leveraging niche frontier technologies available with central scientific departments and institutions. 
• In order to assist the northeastern region, NECTAR ensures applications of appropriate technologies for development in the areas of biodiversity concerns, watershed management, telemedicine, horticulture, etc.
• Headquarters: Shillong, Meghalaya