National Mission on Seabuckthorn

The National Mission on Seabuckthorn is a targeted initiative of the Government of India aimed at promoting the large-scale cultivation, conservation and utilisation of the shrub species Hippophae rhamnoides (commonly known as sea buckthorn) in cold-desert and high-altitude zones. It is designed to serve both ecological and livelihood objectives by harnessing the plant’s multiple uses in fragile mountainous ecosystems.

Background

Sea buckthorn is a hardy shrub naturally found in high-altitude and cold-desert regions such as parts of the Indian Himalayan Region. The species is valued for its ability to stabilise soil and river-banks, fix atmospheric nitrogen, and survive in extreme climatic conditions. Recognising both the ecological potential and livelihood value of the crop, the Government of India launched a national-level initiative in 2010 under the aegis of the National Mission for a Green India (a component of the National Action Plan on Climate Change) to bring about mission-mode development of sea buckthorn plantations and value-chain development.

Objective and Coverage

The mission seeks to:

• Promote cultivation of sea buckthorn in cold-desert regions, especially river-banks, slopes and marginal lands where conventional crops are not viable.
• Enhance incomes of local communities through cultivation, harvesting, processing and marketing of sea buckthorn produce (berries, juices, oils, and other value-added products).
• Restore degraded landscapes, prevent soil erosion, control desertification and contribute to ecological resilience in high-altitude ecosystems.
• Develop the value chain from plantation establishment through processing, marketing and export of sea buckthorn products.

Key Features and Strategy

• The initiative proposed ambitious area targets: for example, bringing up to one million hectares under sea buckthorn cultivation by 2020 in suitable cold-desert regions.
• Pilot efforts began in specific districts of union territories and Himalayan states such as Leh and Kargil (Jammu & Kashmir), Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh) and Chamoli (Uttarakhand).
• The strategy emphasises:
  • Use of marginal and degraded lands unsuited for other crops, thereby improving land-utilisation.
  • Demonstration and extension programmes for local farmers, focusing on nursery development, planting material, cultivation practices and harvesting.
  • Development of processing units, value-addition technologies and market linkages to ensure commercial viability.
  • Institutional linkages among ministries, research institutions, defence laboratories (in high altitude areas) and private sector partners.
  • Convergence with broader climate-change, afforestation and ecosystem-restoration programmes under the Green India Mission.

Importance and Implications

• Ecological benefits: The shrub’s extensive root system helps stabilise slopes, prevents erosion, improves hydrology and aids restoration of degraded cold-desert ecosystems.
• Climate resilience: By utilising harsh terrains and marginal lands, the mission supports adaptation and mitigation goals of climate policy.
• Livelihood enhancement: For remote Himalayan communities, sea buckthorn provides a high-value crop with potential to generate alternate income streams from berry harvesting, processing and marketing.
• Value-chain development: Given the high nutritional and medicinal value of sea buckthorn (rich in vitamin C, carotenoids, flavonoids), the mission also opens possibilities in nutraceuticals, functional foods and cosmetics.
• Land-use optimisation: Using lands not suitable for mainstream agriculture enables productive use of these zones without competing with food-crop production.

Challenges and Criticism

• While the mission set ambitious area targets, actual coverage has lagged in many regions due to logistical constraints — harsh terrain, accessibility, thorny nature of the shrub (making harvesting difficult) and need for suitable planting material.
• Establishing processing infrastructure and viable markets remains a bottleneck; oftentimes raw berries are harvested but value-addition and market realisation are weak.
• Awareness-building and extension services in remote high-altitude areas are resource-intensive and require sustained institutional support.
• Ensuring that benefit accrues equitably to local communities rather than external processors remains a governance concern.

Current Status and Developments

• The mission continues to be implemented in several Himalayan states and union territories. For instance, in the Union Territory of Leh-Ladakh, a Centre of Excellence for sea buckthorn cultivation and processing has been set up, demonstration plots established and farmer training programmes underway.
• The crop has begun to draw attention as a “wonder plant” or “gold of cold deserts” given its multi-utility and high-value potential. The government is encouraging entrepreneurs to form cooperatives, establish processing units and integrate into formal value chains.