Tripura MP Kriti Singh Debbarma pushes Agarwood Sector Reforms in Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha MP Kriti Singh Debbarma has brought the state’s agarwood industry into national focus, urging the Centre to simplify export procedures and provide stronger support for cultivation and trade. 

Raising the matter through Unstarred Question No. 3667, she asked the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to clarify steps being taken to promote agarwood cultivation, certification, value addition, and access to global markets.

Debbarma highlighted the sector’s potential to generate rural livelihoods, boost exports, and contribute to sustainable economic growth in Tripura and the wider Northeast. She stressed that scientific inoculation, streamlined certification, and easier transit rules are essential for farmers and entrepreneurs to benefit from the high-value crop.

Responding in Parliament, Union Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh confirmed that the Centre has already notified an annual export quota for Tripura — 22,500 kg of agarwood chips, powder, and sawdust, along with 1,047 kg of agarwood oil — for the financial years 2024–25 to 2026–27. The quota was set following a Non-Detriment Finding study to ensure sustainable trade.

The Ministry also noted that representations from the Tripura Government and stakeholders seeking rationalisation of transit and certification procedures have been examined in consultation with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MoDoNER), DGFT, agarwood-producing states, exporters, and industry representatives. To improve ease of doing business, DGFT has introduced a digital module on the Trade Connect ePlatform for issuing Certificates of Origin, aimed at improving traceability and reducing delays.

Technical support for scientific inoculation is being provided by the Rain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat, while MoDoNER is backing sustainable cultivation and value addition under the PM-DevINE programme, including the Agarwood Cluster Development Project implemented by NERAMAC.

Debbarma expressed gratitude for the Centre’s measures but emphasised that she would continue to raise issues that could unlock new economic opportunities for Tripura. “This sector has the potential to transform rural livelihoods and strengthen sustainable development in the region,” she said.