20000103

Seabuckthorn

research projects

launched

LAHORE: National Agricultural Development and Research Institute (Nadri), Islamabad has launched four projects on the utilisation of Seabuckthorn, the exotic plant recently introduced in Pakistan.

"The institute is working on the utilisation of extracts from the plant for the preparation of medicines against angina (heart disease) and arthritis, for stopping of ageing among women besides developing a palatable juice", Federal Food and Agriculture Secretary, Dr Zafar Altaf told APP.

He said that some 35 nurseries of the plant had been developed at Nadri.

He said that the utilisation of the Seabuckthorn was not something new in the world as about 150 factories were working in neighbouring China for the manufacturing of various products from this plant.

He said that Mongolia had a good experience of increasing vegetative cover by growing seabuckthorn plant.

He said that the plantation of the fast growing Seabuckthorn in the northern areas of the country could also arrest the problems of water-induced soil erosion and deforestation.

Referring to on-going dry spell, Dr Zafar Altaf said that waters from 32 small dams like that of Khanpur should be utilised for irrigation purposes.ÑAPP