An Awareness Workshop on Cultivation and Trade of Agarwood was held at the Forest Office Complex, Forest Colony, Dimapur, on June 16. The programme was organized by the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of Nagaland, to create awareness on the cultivation, processing, certification and trade of agarwood.
Minister for Environment, Forests & Climate Change and Village Guards, C L John attended the program as the Special Guest. Delivering the inaugural address, John highlighted the importance of promoting agarwood cultivation as a sustainable livelihood opportunity. He said Nagaland is set to emerge as a key player in the agarwood sector following the approval of the State’s Agarwood Policy.
Highlighting the immense economic and ecological value of agarwood, he said the aromatic tree species is highly prized worldwide for its use in perfumes, incense, and traditional medicine. He noted that Nagaland’s favorable climate and land conditions, particularly in the foothill regions, make the state ideal for cultivating high-quality agarwood.
He informed the gathering that farmers in several districts have already begun cultivating agarwood due to its high market value and growing international demand. He said traders, especially from West Asian countries, are increasingly looking to source agarwood products from Northeast India, including Nagaland.
Referring to recent government initiatives, he stated that the State Cabinet has approved the Nagaland Agarwood (Conservation and Promotion) Policy, 2026, aimed at encouraging cultivation on private and community lands, generating employment opportunities, strengthening rural livelihoods, and conserving the endangered species in its natural habitat.
He also pointed out that neighbouring states such as Assam and Tripura have made significant progress in agarwood cultivation and expressed confidence that Nagaland would now be able to accelerate its growth with a comprehensive policy framework in place.
Addressing trade-related issues, he said the state currently has a limited export quota for agarwood chips and oil and urged the Central Government to consider revising the existing quota to enable farmers and traders to reap greater benefits from the expanding market.
He further assured that the Forest Department would provide technical guidance and support to growers, including access to quality planting materials, inoculation techniques, processing methods, and marketing assistance. He added that collaboration with institutions such as the Rain Forest Research Institute (RFRI), Jorhat, and central agencies would help ensure effective implementation of the policy.
A plenary address was presented by V Kikheto Sema, Principal Secretary, Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, where he called for a shift towards sustainable agroforestry-based livelihoods in Nagaland, highlighting coffee and agarwood cultivation as key sectors for rural employment, higher farmer incomes, and forest restoration.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
Sema said that with improved stability in the state, Nagaland can now focus on socio-economic growth through agriculture, forestry, and allied sectors. He noted that traditional jhum cultivation is becoming less viable and stressed the need for sustainable alternatives.
Highlighting the success of the state’s coffee mission launched in 2016, Sema said the government aims to expand coffee cultivation to 50,000 hectares by 2030. He added that coffee supports both farmers’ livelihoods and forest conservation.
Sema also emphasized the potential of agarwood cultivation in Nagaland and urged authorities to increase export quotas and ensure greater participation of local growers in international markets. He said many farmers are unaware of agarwood’s commercial value and called for better awareness, scientific cultivation methods, and improved market access.
The state government is preparing to sign an MoU with the Rain Forest Research Institute (RFRI), Jorhat, to promote scientific agarwood cultivation using advanced inoculation technology. Sema also proposed developing cultivation clusters and providing technical support, quality planting materials, and awareness programmes.
He concluded that agroforestry initiatives involving coffee, agarwood, sandalwood, and other high-value tree crops can create employment, strengthen the rural economy, and support environmental conservation in Nagaland.
The inaugural programme was chaired by Sidramappa Chalkapure, CCF-cum-Member Secretary NSBB and began with an invocation by Obed Sumi, followed by a welcome address delivered by Sidramappa Chalkapure, CCF cum Member Secretary NSBB. Opening remarks were given by Vedpal Singh, PCCF & HoFF, Nagaland. The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Zuthunglo Patton, CF (Publicity & Training).
The workshop included technical sessions on procedures for cultivation, registration, inoculation, harvesting and processing of agarwood, led by PL Agrawal, PCCF & Managing Director, TFDPC, Tripura. Another session focused on certificates of origin and other compliances required for agarwood trade, while a panel discussion was held on facilitating agarwood cultivation and trade with participation from various agencies and stakeholders.
The programme concluded with a valedictory session, reaffirming the department’s commitment to promoting sustainable cultivation and trade of agarwood in Nagaland.
