CEC Kargil flags off 4.5 tonnes of dried seabuckthorn to Chandigarh

Kargil, Nov 1: In a significant step towards promoting local produce, entrepreneurship, and value addition in Ladakh, the Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC Kargil, Dr Jaffer Akhoon, Saturday flagged off the first consignment of 4.5 metric tonnes of dried seabuckthorn from Kargil to Chandigarh.

Present on the occasion were Ali Raza, Chief Horticulture Officer Kargil; Dr Faizan from the School of Agricultural Science and Technology, Kargil Ladakh and Zakir Zaidi, CEO of Halman Apricots, the company spearheading the initiative.

The shipment marks a major milestone for Halman Apricots, Kargil, a local agro-based enterprise dedicated to harnessing and adding value to the region’s unique natural resources. The company plans to dispatch an additional six metric tonnes of dried seabuckthorn after the ongoing cleaning and processing phase is completed.

During the current financial year, the company has also successfully processed around 35 metric tonnes of seabuckthorn pulp, underscoring the growing commercial and ecological potential of the seabuckthorn industry in the region. The dried berries were harvested from Sankoo and Taisuru blocks, while pulping operations were conducted in the Suru and Zanskar regions.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Akhoon commended the efforts of local entrepreneurs and highlighted the importance of promoting sustainable, value-added industries in Kargil that generate employment and strengthen the rural economy.

He further encouraged the youth of Kargil to take up agri-based ventures that draw upon the district’s rich Himalayan bio-resources, including seabuckthorn and apricot.

The flag-off ceremony symbolised the district administration’s continued commitment to support local producers and establish Kargil as a hub for high-value Himalayan products in both national and international markets.