LEH/JAMMU, Aug 25: The Union Agriculture Ministry has constituted a high-level committee to examine a proposal for establishing a dedicated national Sanjeevani Research Centre for Sea Buckthorn in Ladakh’s Nubra Valley, officials said.
Sea Buckthorn, a naturally occurring Himalayan plant, has significant potential in agriculture, food products, nutraceuticals and processing, besides offering livelihood opportunities to rural communities.
The proposal was initiated after Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena wrote to Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on August 14 seeking the establishment of the research centre in Nubra Valley, which is among the major Sea Buckthorn-producing areas of Ladakh.
Following the proposal, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) constituted the committee on August 21 to assess its feasibility and recommend an appropriate institutional and operational framework.
Headed by Dr V B Patel, Additional Director General, Horticultural Science Division, ICAR, the committee made its first field visit to Ladakh on August 24 and held discussions with stakeholders and officials.
The panel includes Dr Maheshwar Singh, Dean (Agriculture), University of Ladakh, Leh; Dr Tsering Stobdan, Scientist-F, DRDO, Leh; and Tsewang Punchok, Director (Horticulture), UT Ladakh Administration.
The committee has been tasked with assessing Sea Buckthorn’s genetic resources, natural distribution, cultivation, production, utilisation and ongoing research in Ladakh.
It will also examine different institutional models for the proposed centre, including a standalone national research centre, a regional station of an existing ICAR institute, or a multi-institutional network involving ICAR, the UT administration, DRDO, CSIR, AYUSH and industry.
The panel will further study the potential for farmer clusters, nurseries, cooperatives and public-private partnerships to boost the production, processing and marketing of Sea Buckthorn.
It has also been asked to prepare broad financial estimates covering infrastructure, recurring expenditure, human resources and equipment, along with a five-year action plan containing measurable targets, timelines and monitoring indicators.
The committee has been directed to submit a comprehensive feasibility report and detailed project report within 45 days of its constitution.
The initiative gained wider national attention after Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the medicinal and nutritional properties of Sea Buckthorn during his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme and referred to it as ‘Sanjeevani’.
According to LG Saxena, the proposed research centre could help convert Ladakh’s Sea Buckthorn resources into scientific innovations, value-added products and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The centre is envisaged as a hub for research, innovation, value addition and commercialisation of the Himalayan crop, creating new opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs and local communities across Ladakh.
