• NET Web Desk

The Tripura Forest department has initiated a process to establish an Agar International Trade and Research Centre (AITRC) to facilitate marketing linkage and promote assessment on Agarwoods.

Tripura is home to Agar (Aquilaria malaccensis) – an evergreen tree utilized for incense, perfume, and small carvings. The state, which has more than one crore Agar trees in Dharmanagar subdivision of North Tripura district, has over 50 agar trade licence holders.

A survey is already underway to count the number of Agar trees across the state.

In his budget speech, the Deputy Chief Minister – Jishnu Dev Verma announced an allocation of Rs 15 core for the agar sector in the Northeastern state.

“We have already begun a process to establish Agar International Trade & Research Centre (AITRC) in Agartala to promote agar trade and research. Since the fund has been allocated in the Budget, it will be opened in a pre-built facility by March,” informed the Director of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) – Pravin L Agarwal on Wednesday.

The Forest department is in contact with the Industries and Commerce department to get a suitable place for setting up AITRC. The NTFP Centre of Excellence has also been working on setting up a local agar market in North Tripura’s Kadamtala shortly; noted Agarwal.

Meanwhile, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) – KS Sethi, and Agarwal have already visited Kadamtala for the purpose. There will be 20 stalls in the proposed market and only growers having trade licenses will only stalls there for selling agar products, including oil.

Currently, the only local agar market is at Hojai in Assam. The department has embarked on a mission to plant agar trees extensively.

In 2021, around 10 lakh saplings were planted in the entire state and 20 lakh nurseries will be raised in the next plantation season.

NTFP Centre of Excellence has already floated a brand titled ‘TriAgar’ to promote agar business and produced five agar products in collaboration with Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC), Kannauj, he said.