Roopak Goswami
Guwahati, Nov 18: Nagaland University has announced the development of a new high-performing ginger variety, ‘SAS-KEVÜ,’ designed to deliver superior yield, exceptional quality and stronger returns for farmers and the processing industry. Developed under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Spices, the variety marks a major milestone in agricultural innovation for the Northeast and India’s spice sector.
Nearly a decade in the making, SAS-KEVÜ is the result of systematic scientific evaluation and multi-location trials conducted across seven AICRP centres. The research was led by Prof. C. S. Maiti and Dr. Graceli I. Yepthomi of the School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University. The variety was officially notified by the Sub-Committee on Crop Standards, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and published in the Gazette of India on September 2, 2025.
A ginger variety tailored for high returns
With a yield potential of 17.21 tonnes per hectare, SAS-KEVÜ outperformed the national check variety by more than 9% in coordinated demonstrations. Its 21.95% dry recovery rate gives processors a significant advantage by increasing output during drying. The rhizomes—bold, pulpy, soft-textured and lemon-yellow—contain noticeably lower fibre, making them ideal for fresh consumption, pickles, beverages, ginger paste, candy and other value-added products.
Farmers stand to benefit from the variety’s consistent performance, high marketability and nine-month maturity, allowing it to fit easily into traditional crop calendars.
A milestone for Nagaland and the Northeast
Congratulating the research team, Prof. Jagadish K Patnaik, Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University, said the achievement reflects the university’s commitment to scientific excellence and farmer welfare. “‘SAS-KEVÜ’ represents nine years of meticulous research, coordinated national trials and unwavering dedication. The variety promises higher yields, improved quality and greater resilience – critical attributes for enhancing farmer incomes and strengthening India’s ginger value chain.”
He added that the release of SAS-KEVÜ underscores the university’s growing role in advancing horticultural innovation and supporting sustainable agriculture across the Northeast.
Rooted in local diversity, proven across India
Recounting the origin of the variety, Prof. Maiti said the journey began in 2014 with the collection and detailed evaluation of nineteen local Nadia ginger clones from Nagaland. One clone, later named SAS-KEVÜ, stood out for its superior traits. Between 2018 and 2022, it underwent rigorous national trials in Andhra Pradesh (Chintapalle), Kerala (Kozhikode), Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha (Potangi), West Bengal (Pundibari) and Sikkim. Stability analyses, including GGE Biplot assessments, confirmed its adaptability across diverse agro-climatic zones.
Dr. Yepthomi noted that following Central Government notification under the Seeds Act, 1966, SAS-KEVÜ is now approved for seed production and commercial cultivation in Nagaland, Mizoram, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.
“This milestone validates the rigour behind the research and strengthens Nagaland University’s leadership in spice crop development,” she said.
A First for the Northeast
SAS-KEVÜ is the first ginger variety ever developed by an AICRP (Spices) team from Nagaland University and the first ginger variety released by any research institute in Northeast India. Seed rhizome multiplication is now underway to ensure farmers can access planting material before the next season. Nagaland University expects SAS-KEVÜ to play a transformative role in boosting ginger production, strengthening regional economies and enhancing India’s competitiveness in the global spice market.
