Boost for Ladakh: High-level panel to plan national sea buckthorn research hub

A High-Level Committee has been constituted by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to examine the establishment of a dedicated National Sanjeevani Research Centre for Sea Buckthorn in Ladakh’s Nubra Valley, positioning the region as a hub for high-value agricultural and medicinal innovation.

The initiative follows a proposal sent on August 14 by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Responding promptly, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) formed the panel on August 21 to recommend an operational and institutional framework.

The committee is chaired by Dr. V.B. Patel, Assistant Director General (Horticultural Science Division), ICAR. Its members include Dr. Maheshwar Singh, Dean of Agriculture at the University of Ladakh; Dr. Tsering Stobdan, Senior Scientist at DRDO Leh; and Tsewang Punchok, Director of Horticulture for UT Ladakh. The team began field assessments on August 24, meeting local stakeholders and administration officials.


Sea Buckthorn, a hardy Himalayan plant with immense value across food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical sectors, gained widespread national attention after Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised its nutritional properties on Mann Ki Baat, referring to it as "Sanjeevani."

L-G Saxena expressed gratitude to Union Minister Chouhan for the swift action, highlighting that the initiative directly addresses requests from local farming communities gathered during his visits to Nubra.

"The proposed dedicated National Sanjeevani Research Centre in Nubra can transform the enormous potential of this unique Himalayan resource into scientific innovation, value-added products and sustainable livelihood opportunities for our farmers and communities," said L-G Saxena.

The high-level panel is tasked with evaluating existing germplasm resources, identifying critical research gaps in propagation and post-harvest management, assessing financial and environmental feasibility, and determining the appropriate institutional structure. Options under review include a standalone National Research Centre, a regional ICAR station, or a multi-agency consortium involving DRDO, CSIR, AYUSH, and private industry partners.

Additionally, the committee will outline strategies to support local farmer clusters, startups, and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) while establishing a five-year action plan. The panel has been directed to submit a comprehensive feasibility report and Detailed Project Report (DPR) within 45 days.