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Kargil, October 7: Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC Kargil, Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon today attended the inauguration-cum-concluding ceremony of the Rabani Agri Processing Unit of sea buckthorn thorn at Brakoo, Sankoo.
The event was attended by Executive Councillors LAHDC Kargil Aga Syed Mujtaba Musavi and Syed Ali, Chief Horticulture Officer Kargil Ali Raza, District Agriculture Officer Kargil Raziya Banoo, Co-founder of Rabani Agri Processing Unit Mohd Hassan Rabani, progressive farmers and other stakeholders.
Co founder of Rabani Agri Processing Unit Mohd Hassan welcoming the guests Highlights he also highlighted the journey, achievements and activities of the processing unit. He informed that the unit was established under the Subsidy Development Programme (SDP) for the year 2024–25, with a subsidy assistance of ₹20.10 lakh.
He said the unit achieved its highest production during 2026, processing around 30 metric tonnes of produce. He further highlighted that progressive farmers associated with the initiative have been generating substantial income, with some earning around ₹8 lakh or more within two months.
The unit has also processed approximately 4 metric tonnes of seabuckthorn dry berries and 6 metric tonnes of seabuckthorn pomace, demonstrating the growing commercial potential of seabuckthorn-based products in the region.
Addressing the gathering, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor LAHDC Kargil Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon congratulated co founder of Rabani Agri Processing Unit, Mohd Hassan for its successful entrepreneurial initiative and achievements.
Dr Akhoon said it was a matter of immense satisfaction to witness local entrepreneurs successfully converting the region’s natural resources into employment and income-generating opportunities. He said such initiatives demonstrate the vast potential available within Kargil.
Highlighting the economic potential of seabuckthorn, the CEC said farmers in the region have generated around ₹6 crore in revenue from seabuckthorn this year, describing it as a significant achievement and an indication of the immense scope for further growth.
He stressed the need to explore and strengthen the potential of local resources, including apricot, apple, vegetables, mushrooms, seabuckthorn and aquaculture, adding that such development is being supported through various government schemes and departmental initiatives.
Dr Akhoon emphasised that the development vision of the region is based on sustainable development, while simultaneously creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for the people.
He also highlighted the increasing number of tourists visiting the region and said that tourism, agriculture, horticulture and allied sectors must collectively be strengthened to create a diversified local economy.
Dr Akhoon Urged the youth to take advantage of government schemes and entrepreneurship opportunities, he also said that a government job should not be considered the only source of livelihood. He encouraged young people to establish enterprises like Rabani Agri Processing Unit, started by Mohd Hassan generate employment for others and become job creators rather than only job seekers.
The CEC also highlighted the medicinal and health benefits of seabuckthorn, stressing the need for greater value addition, processing, branding and marketing of locally produced products.
Executive Councillor LAHDC Kargil Syed Ali congratulated Rabani Agri Processing Unit its Co-founder Mohd Hassan for its initiative and achievements, saying that such enterprises reflect the immense potential of local natural resources.
He said Kargil possesses abundant natural resources and it is now the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to explore these resources scientifically and convert them into sustainable sources of income and employment.
Syed Ali appreciated the efforts of the Departments of Horticulture and Agriculture in promoting employment-oriented initiatives and providing opportunities to local youth through subsidised schemes.
He urged unemployed youth to make the best possible use of such government schemes and come forward with innovative ideas and entrepreneurial initiatives to create sustainable livelihoods within the district.
Executive Councillor LAHDC Kargil Aga Syed Mujtaba Musavi congratulated Rabani Agri Processing Unit for establishing a successful processing enterprise and appreciated the efforts of the entrepreneurs and farmers associated with it.
He highlighted the significant potential of Kargil’s agricultural and horticultural produce and stressed the importance of processing, value addition and effective marketing to ensure better returns for farmers.
He said the region has enormous potential in sectors such as seabuckthorn, apricot, apple and other locally available resources, which can contribute significantly to employment generation and economic development.
Aga Syed Mujtaba Musavi called upon the youth to explore opportunities beyond conventional employment and benefit from the various schemes being implemented by the government and concerned departments.
Chief Horticulture Officer Kargil Ali Raza expressed gratitude to the participants and congratulated Rabani Agri Processing Unit for its success.
He highlighted the immense scope of seabuckthorn in generating employment and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities in the region. He encouraged educated youth to come forward and avail themselves of departmental schemes for establishing processing units and other horticulture-based enterprises.
He assured that the concerned department would extend all possible support to aspiring entrepreneurs in Kargil and encouraged youth to explore the vast horticultural potential of the district, particularly in apricot, apple, seabuckthorn and other locally available natural resources.
Ali Raza also emphasised the importance of strengthening marketing strategies and creating wider markets for local products. He noted that the marketing landscape in Ladakh is changing and products such as apricot and apple are increasingly reaching markets outside the region, including international markets, reflecting their growing demand and commercial potential.
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