Tripura to build integrated agarwood cluster under PM DevINE: Saha

Agartala: Tripura CM Manik Saha on Thursday said the state govt is investing Rs 27.42 crore to build an integrated agarwood cluster under the PM DevINE project, aimed at assisting over 7,000 women and young entrepreneurs.

Speaking at the 5th International Agarwood Conclave and Buyers-Sellers Meet, Saha said the cluster will include facilities for plantations, nursery development, distillation and skill training to boost Tripura’s agarwood business. He added that the northeast is home to around 96% of the country’s agar trees and that Tripura is the second-largest agarwood-producing state in India, with nearly 1.5 crore agar trees.

Saha said the project will strengthen rural and forest-based economies and create new job opportunities. He also referred to Tripura’s cultural and historical links to agarwood, saying the term Agartala is connected to the region’s earlier abundance of agar trees.

He added that the Tripura royal family named the capital after the agar tree, and added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given special attention to the northeastern states and has often asked about agar cultivation in Tripura during their discussions.

Saha said construction of an agarwood market at Kadamtala in North Tripura is almost complete and will enable direct trade between buyers and sellers. He said the North Eastern Council is providing Rs 15 crore to build an International Agar Trade and Research Center.

The CM added that the state govt is working with the Centre to create a single-window online platform for exporters to facilitate agarwood exports. He welcomed international trade delegates to the conclave and said the govt will continue supporting agar growers while pursuing initiatives to promote business and industry in the state.