Archive · 26 Dec 2025
NDDB Expands to Sea Buckthorn from Ladakh
The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is planning to bring sea buckthorn, a fruit that grows in Ladakh, to more people.
They want to buy it from farmers in Ladakh and Kargil and sell it through their Safal stores.
Sea buckthorn is very healthy and has a lot of vitamin C. The NDDB has already been successful in selling apricots and apples from Ladakh.
This year, they bought more apricots and apples than before.
They also signed an agreement to help farmers sell more fruits and vegetables.
The NDDB is studying how to make sure farmers get good prices and that the fruit can be transported easily.
NDDB plans to procure sea buckthorn from Ladakh and Kargil, following successful apricot and apple procurement.
Sea buckthorn is rich in vitamin C, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants, used in nutraceuticals, juices, oils, and cosmetics.
The fruit's recent GI tag has boosted its commercial profile, positioning it alongside other GI-tagged regional products.
NDDB aims to create institutional buy-back arrangements to assure farmers of volume and price, funneling produce into the Safal retail network.
This year, NDDB procured 3,917 kg of apricots and 2,799 kg of apples from Ladakh, showing significant growth compared to previous years.
- Who
- National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and Mother Dairy Fruit and Vegetable Pvt. Ltd.
- What
- Procurement and marketing of sea buckthorn from Ladakh and Kargil
- When
- Planned, with recent MoU signed in 2024
- Where
- Ladakh and Kargil regions
- Why
- To bring sea buckthorn into mainstream markets and support local farmers
- Organization
- National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)
- Fruit
- Sea Buckthorn (Leh berry)
- Regions
- Ladakh and Kargil
- Subsidiary
- Mother Dairy Fruit and Vegetable Pvt. Ltd.
- Retail Network
- Safal
- GI Tag
- Yes (recently obtained)
- Apricot Procurement
- 3,917 kg (₹11.16 lakh)
- Apple Procurement
- 2,799 kg (₹5.99 lakh)