Agartala, Nov 24: With an aim to promote the Agar sector and its products, Tripura government has organized a three-day 2nd Buyer-Seller Meet at a private hotel in Agartala.

Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, who inaugurated the event on Wednesday, also launched Agar perfume in presence of the delegates from various parts of the country and abroad.

Addressing the inaugural session of buyer-seller meet organized by Tripura Forest department and JICA SCATFORM, the Chief Minister said, many people believe that the name of Agartala, capital of the state, was derived from Agar since there were abandoned Agar trees in huge numbers.

According to Dr. Saha, Tripura's Agar sector has huge business potential and the state produces good-quality Agar.

"Multiple initiatives have already been taken to tap the potentials in Agar sector and boost the state's economy", the Chief Minister said.

Tripura's Agar sector at a glance:

Tripura government has set a goal to make Rs. 2000-crore economy in the Agar sector by 2025. The present turnover is Rs. 500 crore (informal). 

More than 5000 families are totally dependent on Agar cultivation and related activities. At present, 5 million of matured Agar trees are there in Tripura.

The Forest department has planted around 3 million Agar trees over the past 3-4 years and planned to plant more 15 lakhs trees in the next (2023) planting season. 

As per "Tripura Agarwood Policy-2021", the state government is determined to plant additional one million Agar trees per year in private and forest lands.

The central government has already notified quota for export of Agarwood chips (25000 kg) and Agarwood oil (1500 kg).