Agartala, Sept 10: Tripura’s famed Agar wood, known for its fragrance and high commercial value, may soon receive a new push from the state government. Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Wednesday said the government is working on a plan to establish dedicated Agar nurseries under agroforestry and distribute saplings free of cost to farmers.
Speaking after a meeting with a delegation of the All Tripura Agar Wood Association, Nath said that demand for Tripura’s Agar is rising sharply, both inside and outside the state. “Tripura Agar is world famous. Last year alone, chips and oil worth ₹25 crore were sold. Farmers across the state are now showing interest in cultivation,” he said.
The minister added that the government has already sent a proposal for a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Tripura Agar, which would boost its brand value globally. He recalled that cultivation in Kadamtala under North District had generated significant GST revenue for the state last year. “This shows how Agar can benefit both farmers and the government. Big companies like Godrej and Patanjali have also come forward to work with our Agar industry,” Nath noted.
According to him, the Cabinet will soon take up the matter for discussion to further intensify cultivation and promotion of Agar, supported jointly by the Forest and Agriculture departments. The minister also said that Chief Minister Manik Saha is personally keen on expanding the initiative.
