Agartala, Sept 22: Tripura Government has launched a policy with an eye on promotion  of Agar-based industry.

Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has launched the "Tripura Agar Policy 2021" during the inaugural session of a two-day buyer-seller meet in a star category hotel in Agartala.

Deb chaired the meet and held series of discussion with the buyers and sellers to find out the feasibility of growing Agarwood sector in Tripura.

Union Minister for Industry and Commerce Piyush Goyal, who virtually joined the event on Tuesday, said the Agarwood sector in the Tripura has the capacity to go beyond the doubling of farmers’ income.

Goyal said, “Once the Union Ministry is accessed to the status of Agarwoods in Tripura, this can go long way towards grabbing the international market. As the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had dreamt of doubling farmers’ income, I believe this agarwood sector of Tripura can not only double the farmers’ income but it can also go beyond.”

“This agarwood sector in fact can lead the state of Tripura grow the state’s economy as this has a huge market at international level too,” Goyal said.

He also said a scheme was formulated for increasing rubber plantation with the help of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA).

Goyal said, “With this scheme, Tripura can get access to the ATMA and also link the MGNREGA scheme with this so as to grow the rubber plantation in the state. To work with the rubber sector of the state the Centre is planning to use modernized technology in Tripura so that high quality rubber is produced.”

The Chief Minister in a social media message thanked the Union Minster Piyush Goyal for attending the event virtually and ensuring all the support from the central government to promote Agarwood trade at the global level.

"We are committed to work hard and make Agartala the world capital of agarwood products as envisioned by Hon'ble Union Minister Shri. Piyush Goyal Ji in today's Buyer and Seller Meet on the Agarwood Products," Deb wrote.

He also extended gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for directing all the concerned central ministries and departments to expedite the agarwood project.
 
"It is because of his foresightedness that today we have been able to bring our project to such a big level in such a short time. Agartala gets its name from Agar tree, therefore it is our duty as well as privilege to promote the consumption of agarwood products on a global level under the able leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji," Deb wrote.

Tripura Forest Minister N.C. Debbarma, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) D.K. Sharma, Tripura Industrial Development Corporation (TIDC) chairman Tinku Roy and many others were present in programme.