Agartala: Dec 16: For the first time in the Parliament, the debate on the motion brought by the MP from Tripura took place in half of the session. MP Biplab Kumar Deb brought a private proposal in the Parliament on Friday and raised the demand for the development of Tripura’s huge potential Agar industry and expansion of opportunities for its proper commercialization. For the first time, a private proposal brought by a Tripura MP was debated for several hours in the second half of the Rajya Sabha session.
Union Industry and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal along with several MPs from various states including Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Gujrat spoke in support of Biplab Kumar Dev’s proposal. Opposition MPs also supported this proposal which was a break in history.
Biplab Kumar Dev, Agar will show India a new direction of economic prosperity like the rubber and tea board, he demanded for the material development of the agar industry by forming the Agar Board. In addition to this, he demanded adequate research, scientific assistance to increase production, necessary steps to encourage producers and new entrepreneurs. It should be noted that during his tenure as Chief Minister, on 16 July 2021, he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded the commercial export of Tripura’s huge economic potential. The Prime Minister also understands its importance. Later, on his instructions, Union Industries and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Forest Minister Bhupen Yadav approved the export of 25,000 metric tons of agar for the first time. Agar Policy was launched in 2021.
But in December 2021, after drawing the attention of the concerned ministry through a letter in this regard, although approval for commercial export was received on January 3, it has not been possible to export even one gram of agar due to legal complications and various excuses. Expressing doubt that barriers are being created, in this regard, a special committee should be constituted by the Government of India to identify why there are obstacles in exporting agar even after approval, and strongly demanded a solution.
Deb said that in the past, every step of the process of commercial export of agar through legitimate channels was made complicated in order to profit private interests centered on agar through various dishonest means. As a result, the Indian government did not get any profit from it. Although there is an opportunity to sell through processing, a legal barrier has been created by banning the export of agar from the country. The whole country has an economic potential of at least 5000 crores. 2.5 trillion Economy potential in the next few years l
He said, almost every part obtained from agar plant including aroma, medicinal properties has different demand and high price. The market value of agar oil matured and collected by natural means is about 70-75 lakhs per liter and the market price of oil obtained by other means is about 20 to 30 lakhs. Rs l There are about 1 crore 25 lakh mature agar trees in Tripura l There is a huge demand for this agar and different agar products in developing countries starting from Thailand, middlelist.
Tripura representatives were sent to Thailand and Laos where the agar industry developed, to gather information and experience on their processing methods, commercialization. Utilizing this experience, this industry is likely to develop in the future. Not only the oil collected from agar, but also wood, chips, roots, leaves, etc. are in demand. Earlier, a good number of dhoop sticks used to come to India from different countries including China. Due to increase in import tax, local artisans are getting an opportunity to invest themselves in this industry and earn money. Agar industry has more economic potential than rubber.
He urged the government to come forward with a more sincere vision in the development of the primary sector. Besides, he demanded to stop its illegal trade and create a way of earning from it in a legal way. He expressed hope that the high demand and high selling prices of other materials derived from the agar plant, including agar oil, like liquid gold, would show a new direction in the economic development of India, including the North East.
