NEHU develops India's first indigenous semiconductor chip to protect tea gardens from red spider mite

North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) has developed India's first indigenous semiconductor chip designed to combat Red Spider Mite, a devastating pest responsible for severe yield losses and declining tea quality in plantations.

India's first indigenous semiconductor chip to combat Red Spider Mite

The breakthrough addresses a critical agricultural challenge, as the mite has long damaged tea plants in the Northeast and other growing regions, forcing farmers to rely heavily on chemical pesticides that harm the environment and raise production costs.

Researchers at the university's Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering - Dr Pankaj Sarkar, Dr Sushanta Kabir Dutta, Dr Sangeeta Das, and Bhaiswajyoti Lahon led the collaborative effort, with fabrication handled by the Semiconductor Laboratory in Mohali, a government facility for chip manufacturing.

“This collaboration exemplifies effective synergy between academic institutions and national fabrication facilities, reinforcing the vision of technological self-reliance under the India Semiconductor Mission,” NEHU said.

The Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, received the chip on 28 November, marking a significant moment for the university's involvement in the national semiconductor ecosystem under the India Semiconductor Mission.

The technology offers tea growers a technology-driven and eco-friendly solution, which is a sustainable alternative to conventional pesticides.

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