From saffron cultivation across the Northeast to mobile food-processing facilities reaching farmers in remote areas, the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) showcased its technology-driven initiatives during the monthly meeting of the Inter-Media Publicity Coordination Committee (IMPCC) held at its headquarters in Shillong, today.
The participating officials were briefed on NECTAR’s initiatives aimed at taking scientific and technological solutions closer to communities across the Northeast. The participating officials were briefed on NECTAR’s initiatives aimed at taking scientific and technological solutions closer to communities across the Northeast. Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma, Director General, NECTAR, highlighted the Centre’s work on saffron cultivation in different parts of the region, including Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Mizoram, demonstrating the potential of scientific interventions to expand agricultural opportunities.
The Centre also showcased its Mobile Food Processing Unit, developed to take processing and value-addition facilities closer to farmers in far-flung areas. The facility supports processing of agricultural produce from handling of raw materials to value addition, bottling and packaging, including tetra-pack solutions, helping improve post-harvest management and value realisation for farmers.
Following the meeting, the participating officials visited key NECTAR facilities, including the Vasundhara Soil Lab, STEM Lab, GIS Lab and Mobile Processing Unit. NECTAR officials briefed the participants on the functioning and applications of these facilities, providing a firsthand understanding of how scientific, technological and geospatial solutions are being applied to address local challenges and support communities across the Northeast.
The meeting was convened by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Shillong, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, as part of its regional IMPCC initiative aimed at strengthening communication, coordination and information sharing among Government departments, organisations and media units.
Representatives from IIM Shillong, ICAR-Umiam, NEEPCO, Census Department, MY Bharat, IMD Shillong, PIB & CBC Shillong, Soil & Water Conservation Department, Akashvani Programme Section, Akashvani North Eastern Service (NES), NEIAH and other participating organisations attended the meeting and shared updates on their ongoing programmes, achievements and upcoming activities.
The participants emphasised the need for greater inter-departmental coordination and collaborative media outreach to ensure wider dissemination of Government initiatives and public welfare programmes. Discussions focused on information sharing, coordinated publicity and exploring opportunities for joint media activities, field visits and sharing of success stories through print, electronic and digital platforms.
The IMPCC was highlighted as an effective platform for strengthening coordination among Government organisations and facilitating more prompt, accurate and people-centric communication across the Northeast.
During the meeting, it was also decided that all participating departments and organisations would observe Hindi Diwas and Hindi Fortnight during September 2026 in a befitting manner, with appropriate programmes and activities to encourage wider participation and promote the use of Hindi in official communication.
The exposure visit and interaction at NECTAR complemented the objectives of the IMPCC by providing Government and media representatives with direct insights into technology-led interventions in the region and facilitating their wider and more informed dissemination through various media platforms.
