Gajendra Singh Negi/ Dehradun
Sea Buckthorn- scientific name Hippophae salicifolia- locally known as Badri berry is all set to boost the income of the farmers of higher Himalayan regions of Uttarakhand. The State government has prepared a plan under the Rural Enterprise Acceleration Growth (REAP) scheme to encourage Sea Buckthorn cultivation in the higher Himalayan areas in Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi and Tehri. The Rural Development and Tourism secretary, Dheeraj Garbyal informed that the local farmers will be encouraged in a planned manner to take up Sea Buckthorn cultivation on a large scale. He said that if scientifically grown, 10-15 tonnes of fruit can be obtained from one hectare. The fruit has a market price of Rs 200 per kg and it can be used to make juice and oil. Gabryal added that the Bhotia community of Pithoragarh’s Milam area is already using it commercially. The promotion of Sea Buckthorn cultivation will not only strengthen the local economy but also help in reducing the menace of migration.
Sea buckthorn is a shrub that grows at an altitude of 1,500 to 4,000 meters and is rich in Vitamin C. It is estimated that one berry contains 12 times more Vitamin C than an orange. It also has abundant quantities of Vitamin E, omega three fatty acids and antioxidants. The fruit has been used by the Himalayan communities such as Bhotias for medicine for curing skin diseases, digestive issues and relief from fatigue. In modern times, it is used in juices, oils, cosmetics and as food supplements. Billed as a ‘super food’, the demand of the fruit is increasing in national and international markets particularly Europe and America.
The Darma and Byas valleys in Pithoragarh district are at the focal point of the scheme to promote Sea buckthorn farming. The government has earmarked Har ki Doon, Gangotri- Harsil and Yamunotri valleys in Uttarkashi district, Kedar valley in Rudraprayag, Badrinath- Mana and Niti valleys in Chamoli and Munsyari, Byas , Darma and Chaudas valleys in Pithoragarh districts as potential areas where the Sea buckthorn can be grown commercially. The department is planning to set up demo plots in one to two hectares of land in these valleys. Here the local farmer will be provided training on cultivation, given seeds and provided market linkages. As per the department, the fruit can be grown commercially in approximately 5,200 hectares in the high altitude valleys of Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, and Pithoragarh districts.
