Tripura to open agar conservation cell

AGARTALA: The state government has decided to open a special Agar Conservation Foundation cell under the state forest department. The state is eyeing a boost to the trade of agar oil, a main ingredient of perfume manufacturing, by extensive cultivation of agar trees, forest minister Mevar Kumar Jamatia said on Thursday.
Speaking to media, Jamatia said, "Agartala was named after the agar tree but now it is hardly found in the state.Even if a few trees are available, the owners are not getting proper economic incentive." Extensive agar cultivation will bring economic empowerment for the marginalized and tribal population of the state and boost rural livelihood, the minister added.
Jamatia informed that in order to promote agar cultivation, the department recently held a one-day workshop on agar cultivation and extraction of agar oil, with experts and 74 agar growers and traders from Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Tripura as part of the consultation process. The government has been working on identifying the issues and opportunities to develop this high-potential sector for the benefit of people, Jamatia said.