Advisor Dr. Pawan Kotwal chaired a meeting on the "Constitution of UT-Level Sea Buckthorn Mission" at the Civil Secretariat, Leh on November 27, emphasizing the need for fire lines to preserve and promote the valuable Sea Buckthorn crop.

During the meeting, Commissioner Secretary for Agriculture and Horticulture, Laltinkhuma Franklin, presented a comprehensive PowerPoint briefing on Sea Buckthorn cultivation in Ladakh. The presentation highlighted key aspects of UT schemes such as Special Development Packages (SDP) and the CSS scheme, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture.

Discussions revolved around adopting modern techniques and methods to enhance Sea Buckthorn harvesting, the achievements of current schemes, and the challenges in implementation. The meeting revealed that Ladakh annually harvests 5-6% of its Sea Buckthorn crop, with 666 metric tons (MT) collected in 2024 and 315 MT in 2023.

Recognizing its economic and medicinal significance, Dr. Kotwal directed officials to establish fire lines at the earliest to safeguard Sea Buckthorn plants. He also stressed encouraging farmers in Ladakh to cultivate Sea Buckthorn and instructed the District Magistrates of Leh and Kargil to identify suitable land for establishing nurseries with favorable environmental conditions.

The Advisor further advocated introducing contract farming to formalize agreements between farmers and buyers, ensuring mutual benefits in production and marketing. Challenges faced by entrepreneurs and buyers in Sea Buckthorn processing, along with bottlenecks in harvesting tools and methods, were deliberated, with strategies suggested for resolution.

The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary of UT Ladakh, Commissioner Secretaries of Health and Medical Education, Agriculture and Horticulture, Additional

Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, District Magistrate Leh, Director of Commerce and Industries, and other concerned officials. Director RDD and other officials joined the meeting virtually.