Assam Forms Task Forces to Fast‑Track Agarwood Policy and Boost Farmer Returns

Overview

• The state government has set up a Cabinet Task Force and held a Multi‑Departmental Task Force meeting to accelerate drafting of a new Agarwood Policy and coordinate departments on the sector.
• Officials said the meetings focused on creating a sustainable value chain that simplifies rules for growers, streamlines processing and makes export procedures more efficient.
• Ministers identified strong control of trade by middlemen as a key problem and pledged measures to cut intermediary capture so farmers receive fairer prices.
• Surveys and officials report widespread cultivation in Upper Assam, with nearly two lakh hectares under agar outside forest areas, creating a large existing supply base for local industry.
• Stakeholders at the conference estimated large commercial potential for agarwood if processing and market links are built in Assam and cited past exports and a projected business opportunity as reasons to push faster policy and infrastructure work.