LEH, SEPTEMBER 18: Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Friday announced a 100 per cent increase in the minimum procurement price of Sea Buckthorn, raising it from ₹150 per kg last year to ₹300 per kg this year.
Saxena made the announcement while inaugurating the first two-day International Sea Buckthorn Conclave 2026 in Leh. He said the move was aimed at increasing the income of farmers and local communities involved in the cultivation and collection of the “wonder berry of Ladakh”.
On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor also released a postal cover featuring Ladakh’s Sea Buckthorn, highlighting the region’s distinctive natural resource and its growing recognition.
The conclave has brought together around 20 major buyers and nearly 120 MSME-registered entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups associated with the Sea Buckthorn sector. Technical experts, scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs from Mongolia, Vietnam and Arunachal Pradesh are also participating in the event to exchange knowledge and experiences on developing Sea Buckthorn as an economic resource.
Saxena said harvesting remains one of the biggest challenges for Sea Buckthorn producers in Ladakh. The plant grows naturally in dense, thorny bushes, making the berries difficult to extract. As a result, he said, nearly 85 per cent of the annual crop is currently wasted, leaving only around 15 per cent commercially utilised.
The Lieutenant Governor has set a target of increasing crop recovery to at least 50 per cent this year and 100 per cent by next year through modern harvesting techniques.
He stressed that improved harvesting methods, processing, value addition, packaging and stronger market linkages would be essential for developing the sector and meeting the growing demand for Sea Buckthorn products across India.
“At present, Sea Buckthorn grows naturally across Ladakh, which often makes harvesting difficult for farmers. In coming times, we will be promoting the cultivation of Sea Buckthorn in a curated manner, so as to harvest maximum produce out of it,” Saxena said.
He added that a comprehensive action plan was being prepared to establish a complete value chain within Ladakh, covering cultivation, harvesting, processing, packaging and marketing, so that a greater share of the economic benefits reaches local farmers, entrepreneurs and communities.
Saxena also acknowledged the role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in giving wider recognition to Ladakh’s Sea Buckthorn, recalling his reference to the plant as “Sanjeevani” during the Mann Ki Baat programme.
He said the GI registration of Ladakh Sea Buckthorn was an important milestone in establishing its identity, authenticity and brand value in domestic and international markets. Its inclusion under the One District One Product initiative for Leh district has also provided further impetus to the sector, he added.
The Lieutenant Governor further said that, following his request, the Union Ministry of Agriculture had constituted a high-level committee to examine the establishment of a dedicated National Sanjeevani Research Centre in Nubra Valley. The proposed centre would focus on research, development, genetic improvement, propagation, harvesting and value addition of Sea Buckthorn.
The two-day conclave is being held in the natural surroundings of the Choglamsar forest, where Sea Buckthorn grows extensively. The setting has allowed participants to observe the plant in its native habitat and gain first-hand understanding of its natural growth and harvesting challenges.
