Sea buckthorn, the nutrient-dense shrub, grows in regenerative farming systems. This means that “SBT berries” not only benefit individuals with diverse health issues but are also useful to the land where it has grown.
Due to its nitrogen-fixing capabilities, it helps in environmental restoration, soil fertility, and water conservation, especially in high altitude regions where climate change often affects the cultivation of crops.
Let’s better understand with the case study on how regenerative farming with seabuckthorn is profitable for the farmers and the overall environmental benefits in the Himalayas.
Top Advantages of Regenerative Farming With Sea Buckthorn
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is known for its ecological characteristics, such as cold resistance, nitrogen fixing, easy adaptation, and fast growth. Thus, growing sea buckthorn is very useful for the environment as follows-
Helps To Boost Soil Health
Sea buckthorn have nitrogen fixing properties that are very essential for growing crops and improving soil fertility, ultimately reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. Wherever it grows, it makes soil more fertile, making it easier to grow diverse crops and farm vegetables, flowers, or fruits at large scale.
Known For Climate Hardiness
Sea buckthorn grows in extreme climates (cold to hot), tolerating temperatures from -40°C to 40°C, drought, and poor soils. Hence, its hardiness makes it an ideal crop for challenging environments and climate-resilient farming.
Helps In Biodiversity Function
The regenerative farming approach of sea buckthorn also helps in boosting ecosystem services and biodiversity. It enhances soil quality and benefits the cultivation of other crops with faster growth by planting SB with the polycultures techniques.
Helps In Biomass and Firewood
Sea buckthorn's woody biomass can be easily used as firewood, biofuel, or mulch, providing energy and improving soil health. Its fast growth rate makes it an ideal crop for biomass production and thereby a great source of income for farmers.
Helps In Water Conservation
Sea buckthorn in regenerative farming is also beneficial in saving water due to its drought-tolerant properties. This improves the soil's water retention capacity, decreasing irrigation needs and preventing soil erosion. Its extensive root system helps retain moisture, making it ideal for water-scarce regions.
Helps In Carbon Sequestration
Sea buckthorn goes deep inside the soil to grow; thus, it has a robust root system and biomass sequesters that affects amounts of carbon, mitigating climate change. Farmers can now contribute to carbon drawdown by incorporating sea buckthorn into farming systems.
Helps In Reclamation and Desert Control
Sea buckthorn's nitrogen-fixing properties and extensive root system help reclaim degraded lands, prevent soil erosion, and combat desertification. This Hippophae rhamnoides crop is an excellent crop for restoring ecosystems and improving biodiversity.
Gives Economic Benefits
Sea buckthorn is called the “liquid gold” that provides multiple income streams through berries, oil, and other value-added products. Also, it has low maintenance requirements and adaptability make it a profitable crop for farmers, enhancing rural livelihoods.
Case Study Of Sea Buckthorn In Ecological Restoration
Here is the real-life example of sea buckthorn in the ecological restoration of Himalayan soil-
The Loess Plateau of China suffered from degraded land, soil erosion, and low farmer income. But, after cultivation of sea buckthorn with other crops in polycultures, there was increased soil organic matter, improved water retention, and a biodiversity boost, along with farm income. Now, around 200,000 ha here support seabuckthorn to halt desertification.
Thus, it gives a clear result that sea buckthorn afforestation helped here in soil conservation and balancing the natural ecosystem of the land.
Wrap Up
Undoubtedly, Sea buckthorn in regenerative farming offers environmental and economic benefits and is transforming beauty and wellness. This thorny shrub of 1-5 m adapts to all climatic conditions, which makes it best for soil health and a source of income for farmers in the nearby Himalayan terrain.
Now, the future of sea buckthorn is seen in nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals; from skincare, haircare, joint pain, to health supplements, aiding in total wellness. You can enjoy capsules, gummies, creams, serums, oil/juice, berry oil, and other products made from sea buckthorn and fuel your body with nutrients like rare omegas, Vitamin C, E, Beta-carotene, and minerals.
You can order the original sea buckthorn products from WellWith the popular health and wellness brand in India, and get scientifically-backed, natural solutions for everyday wellness.
FAQs
What characteristics make regenerative farming of sea buckthorn useful?
The characteristics that make regenerative farming of SB useful are nitrogen fixing, drought-tolerant, hardy and adaptable, and multiple income streams in forms of berries, oil, juice, and more.
Which region benefited most from sea buckthorn in regenerative farming?
Sea buckthorn has been beneficial in regenerative farming in places like the Loess Plateau in China. The science-backed properties of SB, like nitrogen-fixing and water saving, help in restoring degraded lands, improving soil health, and boosting farmer income.
What was the impact of SBT regenerative farming in China?
The real impact of regenerative farming of SB in China's ecology was restored ecosystems, improved livelihoods, and sequestered carbon.
