CEC Kargil Inaugurates RAPU at Brakoo; Rabani Unit Processes 30 MT Produce in 2026

CEC Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon Attends Inauguration-cum-Concluding Ceremony of Rabani Agri Processing Unit 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. 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.