Sea-buckthorn cultivation push in Uttarkashi to boost income, jobs

UTTARKASHI: The commercial cultivation of sea-buckthorn is being actively promoted in Uttarkashi's high-altitude regions under the Rural Enterprise Acceleration Project (REAP) also known as Gramothan, with the objective of enhancing farmers' income and creating new livelihood opportunities in the district's hilly areas.The initiative not only focuses on cultivation but also on developing a value chain around the plant through product manufacturing and market linkages.As part of the project, a sea-buckthorn nursery has been set up in Jhala, where saplings are currently being propagated. Around 25,000 saplings have already been prepared and will be distributed among farmers in high-altitude areas to encourage large-scale cultivation in the coming phase.Project manager Kapil Upadhyay told TOI that sea-buckthorn is rich in medicinal properties and holds strong commercial potential. Its fruit can be processed into a wide range of food and herbal products.Under the REAP project, items such as pulp, Tulsi Immunex, herbal mixed infusions containing buransh, rose tulsi, sea-buckthorn, and green tea, rose refreshers, squashes, soaps, fruit chaat masala, powders, dried berries, and jams are currently being manufactured.To support this ecosystem, infrastructure for local-level processing and packaging is also being developed. This is expected to streamline market distribution while generating employment opportunities for local residents, particularly in remote areas.