Nagaland University researchers develop new high-yield ginger variety

Dimapur: Nagaland University researchers have developed a new ginger variety that consistently delivers superior yield, dry matter recovery, and culinary quality, making it a high-value option for farmers, the fresh produce market, and the spice-processing industry.

A varsity release on Tuesday said that the new ginger variety, taken up under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Spices at Nagaland University, SAS-KEVU, emerged after nearly a decade of scientific evaluation and extensive multi-location testing across seven AICRP centres in India.

The research was led by Prof. C.S. Maiti and Dr. Graceli I. Yepthomi from the School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University.

SAS-KEVU was formally notified by the Sub-Committee on Crop Standards, Notification and Release of Varieties (Horticultural Crops), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and published in the Gazette of India (No. CG-DL-E-04092025-265957) on September 2, 2025.

The release said that with a yield potential of 17.21 tonnes per hectare, SAS-KEVU outperformed the national check variety by more than nine per cent in national demonstrations.

Its dry recovery rate of 21.95 per cent offers a strong advantage for processors seeking higher output during drying.

The rhizomes exhibit a soft texture, bold size, and lemon-yellow flesh with significantly lower fibre, enhancing both consumer appeal and suitability for pickles, beverages, culinary use, and value-added products.

Congratulating the research team, Prof. Jagadish K. Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor of Nagaland University, said, “Nagaland University is proud to announce the development and national notification of the new high-yield ginger variety SAS-KEVU.”

He said this landmark achievement is the result of nine years of rigorous, coordinated national trials carried out by “our dedicated team of scientists” in collaboration with partner institutions.

Patnaik added that SAS-KEVU has been specifically developed to deliver higher yields, improved quality, and greater resilience, offering farmers a reliable variety that can substantially enhance their incomes.