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After apricots and apples, NDDB sets sights on sea buckthorn from Ladakh
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Tuesday, 06 January, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is looking beyond apples and apricots — its recent successful procurement items from Ladakh to introduce sea buckthorn (locally known as “Leh berry”) into mainstream markets, marking the next step in expanding its agricultural sourcing strategy. The plan involves potentially sourcing sea buckthorn from farmers in Ladakh and Kargil and distributing it through Mother Dairy’s Safal retail network, NDDB’s retail arm.
Sea buckthorn is a vitamin-rich, hardy shrub fruit that grows naturally in the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh, where it thrives in extreme cold, high altitudes and poor soils. The berries are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants and omega fatty acids, and are widely regarded for their health and nutritional benefits, including immunity support, skin health and general wellness.
The initiative by NDDB follows its earlier moves to procure and market Ladakh apples and apricots, which helped broaden market access for farmers and strengthen regional value chains. By adding sea buckthorn to this roster of Himalayan produce, NDDB aims to create new commercial opportunities for high-altitude growers, diversify product offerings in Safal stores and promote lesser-known regional crops with high nutritional appeal.
Sea buckthorn has also received increased attention beyond commercial markets: it has been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, highlighting its unique origin and quality tied to Ladakh’s climatic conditions.
While farming and harvesting sea buckthorn pose challenges due to its thorny shrubs and rugged terrain, efforts are underway to improve cultivation practices and expand production an area that could benefit from institutional support.
NDDB’s strategy to bring sea buckthorn into a wider consumption and supply chain reflects a broader trend of leveraging India’s diverse regional crops to meet evolving consumer preferences for nutrient-dense and indigenous agricultural products.
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