Agartala, Tripura, 9th of January, 2026 : Under the PM-DevINE, the State Government is setting up an integrated Agarwood cluster at a cost of 27.42 crore. The cluster will include nurseries, plantations, distillation facilities, and training arrangements for skill development in this sector. Once completed, the cluster will benefit more than 7,000 people, with special benefits for women and youth of the state. Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha stated this while inaugurating the two-day Fifth International Agarwood Conclave and Buyer-Seller Meet at Pragna Bhavan on Thursday (8th January, 2026).
Addressing at the inaugural ceremony the Chief Minister said that the name Agartala is closely associated with the agar tree. At one time, this region had a large number of agar trees, and the Tripura royal family named Agartala after these trees. He mentioned that during various meetings, Prime Minister Narendra Modi enquired about Agar cultivation in the state. The Prime Minister has described the Northeastern states as Ashta Lakshmi. About 96 percent of the country’s Agar trees are found in the Northeastern states. Tripura has already been recognized as India’s second-largest Agar wood-producing state, with around 1.5 croe Agar trees at present.
The Chief Minister said that the work of setting up an Agar wood market at Kadamtala in Dharmanagar is almost complete, where buyers and sellers will be able to trade Agar wood. An International Agarwood Trade and Research Centre, being set up with 15 crore funding from the North Eastern Council, will soon emerge as a hub for research and trade. He added that the state government is working with the central government to develop a single-window online platform for exporters. Welcoming the international trade delegates attending the conclave, the Chief Minister assured Agar wood cultivators that the state government always stands by them. He said that the state government is implementing various schemes to promote industry and commerce and expressed hope that Agar wood cultivation would play an important role in achieving the goal of prosperity for all. He stated that Tripura’s Agar wood will once again lead the country’s Agarwood trade. Describing Agarwood as one of the state’s most valuable resources and a royal symbol of Tripura, the Chief Minister invited delegates from different states and countries to visit various places in the state to experience its natural environment and scenic beauty.
At the event, while addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma said that Tripura’s climate is highly suitable for Agar cultivation. He emphasized the need to further encourage the people of the state to take up Agar farming and stressed the importance of providing science-based training in this sector. The Forest Minister assured that the government would extend all kinds of support for establishing an Agar industry in the state. He also urged all to focus on the production of various Agar-based products using the state’s raw materials and invited Agar traders from outside the state to invest in this field.
Among the distinguished guests who addressed the event were Shrivarani, Director General of the Foreign Trade Division of the Department of Industries and Commerce; Anshuman De, Joint Secretary of PM DevINE and NERAMAC; R. K. Shyaml, PCCF; and Sushil Kumar Awasthi, Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. The vote of thanks was delivered by Ishantra Shovapandit, Regional Director of the Indian Chamber of Commerce. The Chief Minister, the Forest Minister, and other guests also visited stalls set up outside Pragna Bhavan showcasing various products made from Agar.
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