Northeast Desk, 17th February: The Tripura Forest Department is set to establish a comprehensive Agar market in North Tripura’s Kadamtala area, aimed at bolstering the agar-based industry in the northeastern state, according to an official statement.
Currently, a temporary facility exists in Kadamtala, Dharmangaar sub-division, where Agar trees are abundant, facilitating the display and sale of agar-based products such as incense sticks and organic fertilizer.
However, recognizing the limitations of the existing facility in promoting agar-based products, the department has embarked on setting up a full-fledged agar market, with an allocation of Rs 1.50 crore to provide enhanced options to agar traders. The construction work has already commenced at Kadamtala, informed Sub-Divisional Forest Officer (SDFO), Dharmanagar, Subrata Sen.
The proposed market will feature 15 stalls for agar sellers and a large conference hall dedicated to agar workers for the production of various agar-based items.
Sen highlighted that the market will offer improved facilities for buyers and sellers, as well as provide a conducive environment for artisans to create products under one roof. Additionally, the site will offer training opportunities to enhance the skills of agar artisans.
Efforts are underway to address the shortage of skilled manpower in the agar sector, with a target of producing 5,000 skilled agar artisans or workers from Unakoti and North districts. Training for two batches has already commenced to meet this goal.
Agar, known for its medicinal value, primarily yields agar oil, with initiatives underway to produce incense sticks, organic fertilizer, and tea from agar leaves.
Presently, there are 10 lakh agar trees available in the North district, with the department targeting to increase agar cultivation in 116 hectares for the current fiscal year.
To support agar cultivation, the department provides poly bag seeds to beneficiaries selected by panchayat bodies, fostering greater participation and growth in the sector.
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