A delegation from the World Bank recently visited North Tripura’s Kadamtala area to review the agarwood industry and explore potential opportunities for growth. The three-member team, led by consultant Dan Altrell, met with senior forest department officials to understand the current state of the agarwood sector.
During their visit to Kadamtala, the team also visited the agar market and engaged with growers to gather insights on how the World Bank could support them. North Tripura District Forest Officer, Suman Malla, highlighted that the World Bank’s visit was part of a project focusing on non-timber forest products, with a specific interest in the agarwood industry due to its concentration in Kadamtala.
Malla mentioned that North Tripura boasts the highest number of agar trees, with around 1 crore trees in the region. The agarwood-based activities are primarily centered in Kadamtala, with approximately 15 operational factories in the area. Agar oil and chips are currently exported to West Asian countries where there is a high demand for these products.
The DFO emphasized that the agar-based businesses are performing well in the region, with one market already operational. He also highlighted the potential for value addition in the sector, indicating that there is room for growth and development.
In 2021, the Tripura government announced an Agar Policy with the goal of revitalizing the state’s economy through the agarwood industry. With the World Bank exploring opportunities in the sector, there is optimism for further growth and expansion in Tripura’s agarwood industry.
