Photo Courtesy: tripuratimes
Agartala: The federal government is pushing to scale up the agarwood industry in Tripura. Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh confirmed the new plan during a parliamentary session. This follows pressure from Tripura East MP Kriti Devi Debbarman. Officials want better livelihoods for rural growers.
New export limits are now locked in. From the 2024-25 financial year through 2026-27, Tripura can export 22,500 kg of agarwood chips, powder, and sawdust annually. The state also has a yearly quota of 1,047 kg for agarwood oil. These figures stem from a 2024 Non-Detriment Finding study meant to ensure sustainable trade.
Red tape is shrinking. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade launched a digital Certificate of Origin module on the Trade Connect ePlatform. Exporters now log stock, chain of custody, and inspection records online. This move aims to fix transit issues and improve traceability for all stakeholders.
Technical help is also on the way. The Rain Forest Research Institute in Jorhat is training farmers in scientific tree inoculation. This stops growers from getting cheated by unregulated service providers. Furthermore, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region is funding the Agarwood Cluster Development Project through the PM-DevINE scheme, handled by NERAMAC.
Debbarman remains focused on growth for her state. She noted the government measures are a start, but work remains. "This sector has the potential to transform rural livelihoods and strengthen sustainable development in the region," she said. Promoting agroforestry for agarwood is now part of the Union Budget 2026-27 plan.
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