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All Sanchi (Agar) Grower’s Association of Assam ASGAA

The All Sanchi (Agar) Grower’s Association of Assam (ASGAA) was established on 19th February 2012 as a non-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding the interests of Assam's indigenous Sanchi farmers, traders, and stakeholders. From nurseries to plantations, distillation, chip extraction, marketing, and consultancy, ASGAA works to preserve the unique eco-biodiversity of Assam and the northeastern region of India. Recognized as the world’s largest Sanchi (Agar) farmers’ association, ASGAA represents over a million farmers from the naturally infected agarwood zones of northeastern India, particularly Assam. The association is supported by key forest-based stakeholders, including the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, through its premier Institutes. Together, we strive to protect our heritage and promote sustainable practices in the agarwood industry.

Introduction to Agarwood and Its Cultivation in Northeast India

Agarwood, locally known as Sanchi, is a precious floral resource found abundantly in Assam and other northeastern states of India, including Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura. The species, Aquilaria malaccensis, thrives naturally in the region due to its unique climatic and soil conditions. Known for its remarkable economic benefits, agarwood cultivation plays a vital role in the rural economy of these states. Farmers grow these trees on private lands without the use of pesticides, fertilizers, or artificial inoculation, ensuring a healthy and organic product.Apart from its economic significance, agarwood holds immense cultural and historical value in the northeastern states.The resinous heartwood, renowned for its distinct fragrance, is widely used in perfumery, cosmetics, and religious rituals, earning it the title "Wood of the Gods." The high-quality chips and oil, popularly known as Hind oil in Middle Eastern markets, command a premium due to their natural purity. Despite its potential, the lack of proper government surveys and comprehensive policies has hindered its organized cultivation and trade. Efforts by organizations like ASGAA aim to bridge this gap, empowering farmers and promoting sustainable practices.

Ecological and Economic Significance of Agarwood

Agarwood has been a crucial component of the northeastern region's ecosystem and economy. Its natural regeneration is facilitated by favorable environmental conditions, making it an easily cultivable species. The products derived from agarwood, including chips and agar oil (Hind oil), are highly sought after in global markets, particularly in the Middle East, due to their unique fragrance and quality. Apart from its use in perfumery and aromatics, agarwood is a critical ingredient in the cosmetics industry.

Cultural and Historical Importance

The knowledge of agarwood, or Sanchi kath, dates back to ancient times in the northeastern region of India. Historical records highlight the suitability of Assam's climate for agarwood cultivation, which led to its widespread availability in forested areas. Despite its long-standing significance, there has been a lack of systematic government surveys and comprehensive agarwood policies, leading to insufficient statistical data on its population and distribution.

Botanical and Taxonomical Overview

The botanical name Aquilaria malaccensis, a species belonging to the family Thymelaeaceae, highlights the plant's rarity and economic value. Known globally by several names, such as agarwood, aloeswood, eaglewood, agaru, and gaharu, it is famed for its resinous and fragrant heartwood. Often referred to as the "Wood of the Gods," agarwood holds immense value in medicinal, aromatic, and religious contexts.

Global Recognition and Utilization

Agarwood products from Assam, especially the black resinous chips and high-quality agar oil, have had a significant presence in the international market for over 2,000 years. They are highly prized in the Middle East for their fragrance and in European perfumeries as a fixative in premium-grade scents. This enduring demand underscores the global importance of agarwood from the northeastern states.

Challenges and Conservation Efforts

Despite its prominence, agarwood cultivation faces challenges due to the absence of adequate government policies and comprehensive surveys. This lack of organized data hampers the strategic planning required to preserve and optimize agarwood resources. Given its endangered status and the growing demand, there is an urgent need for sustainable cultivation practices and policy interventions to ensure the long-term viability of this resource

Message from the Founder

Mr Bikash Borah

Founder cum General Secretary

Agarwood, locally known as Sanchi, thrives naturally in Assam’s Brahmaputra Valley. On behalf of ASGAA, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Sanchi farmers, whose efforts significantly impact national and international markets. The rare Aquilaria malaccensis species, abundant in this region, produces agarwood oil and chips of exceptional quality, highly valued globally for fragrance, food, and cosmetics. ASGAA proudly supports farmers, scientists, and stakeholders in implementing a national agarwood policy, transforming this sector. By promoting sustainable practices and providing resources, we aim to uplift rural economies and preserve eco-biodiversity, guided by our vision: "Grow Agar, Save Agar, Trade Agar, Eco-friendly Manner."

Advisory Board

Bhailal M Patel

Executive Vice President at Parikh Worldwide Media LLC and Founder of FIA Chicago - Federation of Indian Associations. With a background in law, he has served at the District Court of Vadodara and the High Court of Gujarat State, Ahmedabad. He is an alumnus of the Nuclear Medicine Institute, Findlay University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. A seasoned leader with extensive experience in media, community service, and law, he brings invaluable expertise to the advisory board.

Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh

Honorable Minister of State for Education and External Affairs, Government of India. With a career rooted in public service and a vision for transformative education, he champions sustainable development and global collaboration. A former academic and researcher, he brings a wealth of knowledge to policymaking. Passionate about innovation and societal growth, Dr. Singh plays a pivotal role in shaping India’s educational and international landscapes.

Mr Somenath Ghosh

An Innovation Evangelist with over three decades of experience in building global businesses, mentoring startups, and fostering technology commercialization. Former CMD of NRDC, he has supported hundreds of companies, including a Unicorn, with a rural technology focus. A founder of six ventures, he brings expertise spanning corporates, PSUs, and startups. Passionate about mentoring, he is an IIT Kanpur and IIT Delhi alumnus. A visionary leader in the startup ecosystem.

Dr. Nirangkush Borah

MSc, PhD, is a Scientific Assistant at the Directorate of Forensic Sciences, specializing in Organic Chemistry. His research interests include Natural Product Chemistry, Biosynthesized Metal Nanoparticles, and Computational & Quantum Chemistry. Proficient in handling advanced analytical instruments like UV-Vis Spectrophotometer, HPLC, and GCMS/MS. With expertise in the Drugs and Narcotics Division, he brings valuable insights into forensic and chemical sciences. A dedicated researcher and innovator, he strengthens the ASGAA advisory board with his expertise

GALLERY

See what's new with the ASGAA

The All Sanchi (Agar) Growers Association of Assam (ASGAA) expresses immense gratitude and heartfelt congratulations to the Government of India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for addressing the longstanding need for a National Agarwood Export Policy. This policy marks a monumental step forward for the agarwood industry, particularly for the indigenous farmers and stakeholders in Assam and the northeastern states.

ASGAA’s Role in Advocacy

Since its inception, ASGAA has tirelessly advocated for legal reforms and policy frameworks to benefit agarwood farmers. A landmark moment in this journey was the submission of a memorandum to the Central Government on March 26, 2016, during the Agarwood Farmers Conference. The memorandum outlined 11 key resolutions, including lifting restrictions on agarwood exports imposed under the CITES list since 1995.

ASGAA’s efforts received significant support from then-Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar, who assured that steps would be taken to delist agarwood from CITES and address export restrictions. Following this assurance, ASGAA submitted an 8-page comment letter with comprehensive inputs to aid the formulation of the National Agarwood Policy.

Collaborative Efforts and State-Level Milestones

In tandem with ASGAA’s advocacy at the central level, the Government of Assam made a historic decision on July 22, 2019, allowing for the legal harvesting and marketing of agarwood. This decision established a grassroots framework for regulating agarwood trade and set a precedent for the rest of the country.

Impact of the New Export Policy

The National Agarwood Export Policy is poised to:

Boost the Rural Economy: By enabling small-scale distillation units in plantation areas, the policy will provide farmers with the tools to process and market their products efficiently.
Generate Employment: Initiatives like ASGAA’s Mission of OUR AGARWOOD HOME (launched in 2021) aim to address rural unemployment by creating job opportunities in agarwood cultivation, harvesting, and export activities.
Global Recognition: The policy paves the way for Indian agarwood products to gain prominence in international markets, enhancing the livelihoods of indigenous farmers and positioning India as a key player in the global agarwood trade.

Voices of Appreciation

Bikash Borah, Founder and General Secretary of ASGAA, expressed his satisfaction and extended gratitude to the farmers, members, and media for their collective efforts in elevating Indian agarwood to global prominence.
Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, MoS Education and External Affairs, commended the policy, recognizing it as a testament to the Modi Government’s commitment to farmers.
Bhailal M. Patel, Chief Advisor of ASGAA, highlighted the transformative potential of legal agarwood export in fostering economic development in northeastern states.

A Path to Sustainable Growth

The National Agarwood Export Policy is more than a regulatory reform—it is a gateway to sustainable economic development, environmental conservation, and socio-economic empowerment for millions of agarwood farmers. With ASGAA’s steadfast commitment and the Government’s support, the agarwood industry is set to flourish both domestically and globally.