A two day “National workshop on Seabuckthorn” with a view to brainstorm and disseminate relevant information about Seabuckthorn was held on September 6 & 7.

 

The seminar was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare in collaboration with Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) and LAHDC, Leh.

 

The workshop was inaugurated by Tsering Wangdus, Executive Councilor, Hill Council, Leh. He spoke about the importance and relevance of seabuckthorn plants in the trans-Himalayan region of India and how it has evolved from a wild bush to a commercially viable important species of the region. 

Dr. O P Chaurasia, Director DIHAR hoped for a fruitful outcome in terms of a roadmap for future development of seabuckthorn in the region.

 

The workshop was graced by the presence of Tsering Dorjey, MLC; Executive Councilor (Gyal P Wangyal and Tsering Sangdup) and Councilors LAHDC Leh; HOD and member representatives of State Department, Research Institutes NGOs and Local entrepreneurs.

Apart from the local member delegates, this workshop was also attended by representative member delegates from five Himalayan States (HP, Uttrakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim & J&K) who actively participated and brainstormed regarding its potential in improving the livelihood status of people living in the mountain regions.

Until 2001, Seabuckthorn was considered a thorny menace by locals due to its profuse suckering nature and had no commercial value in Ladakh region. DIHAR has carried out pioneer R&D on the goldenbush (Seabuckthorn) and has developed various health products viz. Seabuckthorn based antioxidant-rich beverage, Seabuckthorn tea, antioxidant supplement, oil capsules, UV Protective cream which have been commercialized for large-scale production to supply to the army and also in the open market.

 

Based on DIHAR technologies and after setting the first seabuckthorn processing unit in Leh, seabuckthorn collection is taken as an important activity and additional source of income.

The collection period is short and the return is high. The popularity of seabuckthorn as a source of income can be judged from the increase in the price of the berries from Rs 8/kg in the year 2001 to Rs 45/kg in 2018. 

Seabuckthorn fruit & pulp worth cores are being been sold from Leh district of Ladakh region, which account for less than 5% of the region total potential. Since collection and primary processing is being done by the locals, the revenue generated benefit the needy sections of the society. 

Recently, based on the recent development and its future potential, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) of Ministry of Agriculture has included seabuckthorn as a horticulture crop for the 5 Himalayan states (J&K, HP, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim) due to which growers, processors, and entrepreneurs will get encouragement and incentives for taking up any activities on seabuckthorn.