Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh today visited the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) Headquarter in Shillong to chair a comprehensive review meeting of the various Science and Technology (S&T) Institutions. During the meeting, the Heads of various S&T Institutions presented updates on their ongoing programmes, key achievements, and future initiatives, highlighting their contributions towards scientific research, technological innovation, capacity building, and socio-economic development in the region.
Following the review meeting, Dr. Singh visited few of NECTAR’s recent and flagship technology facilities and innovative initiatives in the campus at Barik Point , Shillong, which were established aiming to improving livelihoods, strengthening scientific infrastructure, promoting quality education, and accelerating technology-led development across the North Eastern Region. He appreciated NECTAR’s efforts in translating cutting-edge scientific research into practical solutions benefiting farmers, students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and rural communities.
The Minister expressed satisfaction after witnessing the Mobile Food Processing Unit (MPU), developed jointly by NECTAR and CSIR-CFTR. He described the MPU as an innovative “processing on wheels” solution that brings food processing technologies directly to farmers’ doorsteps, enabling value addition, skill development, and enhanced livelihood opportunities, particularly for small and marginal farmers.
Reviewing NECTAR’s interventions under the PM-DevINE scheme, Dr. Singh appreciated the establishment of the Vasundhara Soil Organic Carbon Detection Laboratory-cum-Manufacturing Unit, developed using technology transferred from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). He noted that the facility provides accurate in-situ soil testing solutions and will greatly benefit farmers, researchers, and agricultural institutions.
Dr. Singh also expressed delight after visiting NECTAR’s STEM Education Laboratory, which has emerged as a vibrant centre for experiential learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Equipped with facilities for robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, 3D printing and innovation-based learning, the laboratory has attracted hundreds of students from Shillong and neighbouring districts since becoming operational in January 2025.
During the visit, Dr. Singh also inaugurated NECTAR’s advanced GeoInformatics Laboratory, which has evolved into one of the most sophisticated geospatial technology facilities in the North Eastern Region. The laboratory currently operates 17 advanced drones, including LiDAR and hyperspectral-enabled VTOL platforms, supported by high-performance computing infrastructure and specialised geospatial software.
The Minister appreciated NECTAR’s strong focus on capacity building, noting that the Centre has trained 569 drone technicians, 247 GIS and Remote Sensing professionals, 107 certified drone pilots through its Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO), and more than 4,500 students in emerging technologies. These initiatives have also generated livelihood opportunities for over 190 youth from the North Eastern Region.
Expressing confidence in NECTAR’s future, Dr. Singh said that the Centre is well positioned to emerge as a National Centre of Excellence in geospatial science, drone technology, artificial intelligence, and technology-led rural development.
While interacting with Directors/Regional Heads of the key Science & Technology institutions like CSIR-NGRI,NEIST,CMERI, IAAST & IIG-DST, CSO-NCS-IMD and IBSD-DBT, minister expressed his desire that these institutions work in a convergent mission mode, leveraging their respective strengths to deliver measurable impacts for the people of the North East through innovation, capacity building, technology transfer, and evidence-based policy support. He emphasized greater inter-institutional collaboration for effective translation of scientific research into field-level solutions. He also encouraged the institutions to align their future programmes with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and the Prime Minister’s development priorities for the North Eastern Region.
Congratulating NECTAR and its partner institutions for their remarkable achievements, the Minister stated that these initiatives demonstrate the Government of India’s commitment to harnessing science and technology for inclusive development and improving the quality of life of people in the North Eastern Region.