Achieving the Goal of a National Agarwood Export Policy
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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.
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.
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