The Tripura Government is taking significant steps to boost Agar cultivation in the state by seeking a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Tripura Agar and establishing nurseries to provide farmers with saplings free of cost.
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath announced this initiative, which is being carried out in collaboration with the Forest Department, during a meeting with a delegation from the All Tripura Agar Wood Association. The goal of this effort is to promote Agar cultivation under agroforestry, which will not only benefit farmers but also increase state revenue.
Nath emphasized the increasing demand for Agar both within and outside Tripura, noting that Agar cultivation in Kadamtala, North Tripura, brought in a significant amount of GST revenue last year. He highlighted the interest shown by farmers across the state in Agar cultivation and criticized the previous government for not taking any action in this area until the introduction of the Tripura Agar Wood Policy in 2021.
A proposal for a GI tag for Tripura Agar has already been submitted, with Agar chips and oil worth Rs 25 crore sold last year. Nath also mentioned that major companies like Godrej and Patanjali have expressed interest in Tripura Agar, indicating the potential for significant growth in this sector.
The government is now considering establishing Agar nurseries under agroforestry and providing farmers with saplings at no cost. Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb is reportedly supportive of this initiative, recognizing the potential for Agar to become a major revenue-generating industry for Tripura. The efforts to promote Agar cultivation in the state are expected to create new opportunities for farmers and contribute to the overall economic development of Tripura.
