A high level meeting chaired by Advisor to LG Ladakh, Umang Narula regarding production and value addition of sea buckthorn was held, here on Thursday. The meeting was attended by Commissioner/Secretary Agriculture, Horticulture Department Ladakh, Secretary Industries & Commerce Department Ladakh, Secretary, Cooperatives Department Ladakh, Deputy Commissioner, Leh/Kargil, Director, Industries & Commerce Ladakh, Director Horticulture Ladakh, Director DIHAR and district level officers of Industries, Horticulture & Cooperatives, Department. Secretary Industries & Commerce Ladakh, Saugat Biswas gave a detailed presentation regarding sea buckthorn: Value & Financial Analysis and Methods to improve its harvesting. The requirement of modern techniques to harvest the sea buckthorn was discussed in the meeting. Director DIHAR was assigned the work to carry out a realistic data survey to update the actual availability of sea buckthorn in Ladakh, based upon which the future interventions and plans will be formulated. Narula stressed the Industries & Commerce Department to hold a conclave on sea buckthorn, where various companies may be invited. The Advisor stressed the Industries & Commerce Department to also explore possibilities of selling the harvest through e-market. With the aim of increasing the harvesting of sea buckthorn by way of introduction of modern techniques, the Advisor urged Director DIHAR to submit a report regarding various machinery equipments and tools used around the globe for harvesting of sea buckthorn. The Advisor also stressed upon the need for an incentive policy by way of which latest machineries, tools and equipments may be distributed to the potential farmers at subsidized rates. He directed the Horticulture Department to work upon the proposal in consultation with Industries & Commerce Department. The Horticulture Department appraised that a project namely, “Centre of Excellence for Sea Buckthorn & temperate Fruits (like Apricot)” at Horticulture Departmental Farm Nimmo, Leh is under execution. The Advisor directed the Horticulture department to complete the project within the prescribed timeline of the project. The Advisor stressed that a UT level apex committee be constituted under the Industries & Commerce Department, in order to ensure that synergetic decisions are taken for promotion and development of sea buckthorn industry.
