Tripura Aims To Increase Its Economy Through Agar Plantation

Agar tree, or Aquilaria malaccensis, a major source of medicines and perfumes, is a critically endangered species on the IUCN list, but it grows abundantly in Tripura, providing the state with a golden opportunity to commercially cultivate the plant and boost the economy, according to a top forest official. He mentioned that the capital city of Agartala was called after the evergreen tree. "Given the cheap input for management and growth, intercropping adaption could make Agar a favoured cash crop," said Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) KS Sethi.

According to officials, the Tripura government's agarwood programme, which was established last year, intends to treble plantation by 2025. According to them, the agar trade is estimated to produce over Rs 2,000 crore per year for the state. According to Sethi, the state administration has requested for certification from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in order to export agarwood and other extracted items.

"We are in contact with the CITES authorities to obtain the appropriate approvals and certification before we can export Agarwood," he said. According to the policy, Tripura wants to export 75,000 kg of agar chips and 1,500 kg of agar oil in the current fiscal year. "The state forest department is taking measures to establish a specialised Agar market in North Tripura district and to create another Agar International Trade and Research Centre (AITRC) in Agartala," according to the PCCF.

The centre will also assist the connection of Agar markets, he said, adding that money for the research centre were given in the previous state budget. According to P L Agarwal, the head of the Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) Centre of Excellence, who oversees the state's Agar project, North Tripura has the highest concentration of Agar trees. "In the North Tripura district, 1.13 crore Agar trees have been counted so far. According to our census, around 56 lakh trees have only recently matured. The state administration has been working for several years to ensure the growth of Agar trees "Agarwal said.

According to him, roughly 10 lakh seedlings were planted across the entire state last year. According to him, up to 20 lakh Agar nurseries are likely to be raised during the upcoming planter season (April to October). Both Sethi and Agarwal have recently visited Kadamtala in North Tripura, where a dedicated Agar market with approximately 20 booths will open soon. "Only producers with trade licences will be permitted to sell agar goods, including oil, at the market," Agarwal explained.

(source : PTI)