About Asgaa in asgaa, Jorhat

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

OUR MAIN DEMANDS

We would like to draw your kind attention to various issues related to the livelihood and sustainability of agarwood growers which are affecting them adversely. We place before you the following demands for your urgent attention in order to ensure sustainable livelihood development of agar growers.

1.IMPLEMENTATION OF PERSPECTIVE, FLEXIBLE AND CLEAR CUT AGARWOOD POLICY FOR THE WELFARE OF THE FARMERS:

At present there is no clear-cut agarwood policy of the State Govt. and/or Central Govt. Though the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) made a final draft policy for sustainable utilization of agarwoodin 2014, it is biased in favour of traders and processors. The farmers remain marginalized and with the spread of mis-information a lot of confusion has been created.

2.SETTING UP OF AGAR PLANTATION BOARD WITH DISTRICT LEVEL OFFICES SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS PURPOSE:

Creation of a separate Agarwood Plantation Board by the MoEF will help better execution and monitoring of the agarwood planted area and quick redressal of problems of the farmers.

3.SET-UP OF SEPARATE AGARWOOD RESEARCH CENTRE :

Aninternational standard research institute is required so that advancements in research and technology can be used for enhancement and capacity building of farmers, processors, traders and other related businesses. The benefits of scientific research should reach the people through a lab to land programme. This institute will also conduct training programmes and propagate the research achievements amongst farmers, processors and traders through its Extension Programmes. This research institute should also set quality standards so that emphasis is to have quality improvement of the agarwood produce. The ideal location for establishing the institute should be in the agarwood dominant district of Jorhat, Assam.

4.ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AGARWOOD AUCTION CENTRE AT JORHAT:

An international agarwoodauction centreshould be established in Jorhat so that farmers, processors and traders are able to get a better price for their produce and maintain quality control of agarwood products.

5.A MULTI ORIENTED AGAR OIL EXTRACTION UNIT SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED UNDER THE GOVT. SPONSORED SCHEME:

The Government should sponsor a multi-oriented agar oil extraction unit so that there are various types and sizes of extraction. This will enable the farmers to process their trees and avail optimum price for the produce.

6.SUBSIDY SCHEMES FOR AGRWOOD GROWERS:

Ther should be a subsidy scheme for promotion and propagation of Agarwood. Hundred percent (100%) subsidy should be there for all new start up marginal farmers having upto 100 trees on all their purchased inputs. There should be a gradual reduction of subsidy for bigger growers. There should also be a graded minimum support price (MSP) for agarwood produce by the farmers.

7.IDENTIFY AND PREPARE A LIST OF VILLAGES IN WHERE NATURALLY INFECTED AGARWOOD IS FOUND WHICH IS PURELY ORGANIC IN NATURE:

Naturally infected agarwood products occupying a good national and international market due to its high demand comparatively to artificially found product. Hence it is necessary to prepare a list of those ideal villages where only naturally infected agarwoodis found. This unique character will introduce a premium product which will not be very affected by the variation of prices in the market.

8 GOVT. SHOULD TAKE LARGE SCALE STEPS TO PROMOTE, CONSERVE AND PLANT AQUALARIA MALACCANISIS FLORAIN PROTECTED LANDS, RESERVED AND UNRESERVED FOREST LAND :

Present scenario in Assam is that agarwood has been abundantly planted inprivate and homestead land as our association is encouraging all farmers to do so. Even tree gardens are being encouraged to plant agarwood for shade trees. But hardly any trees are found in forest and protected lands. There must be a policy to plant agarwood trees in forest land, along river banks, roads and rail tracks etc. We will join hands with the government in planting trees in such areas under government sponsored schemes.

9 GOVT. SHOULD PROTECT THE THEFT OF AGARWOOD TREES FROM THE FARMERS PRIVATE LAND.

Because of its high value, agarwoodtrees are clandestinely cut from farmers private and homestead lands by armed agarwood mafia but there is hardly any reprieve. The Farmers demand a special dedicated helpline to a rapid deployment force which can take action in lightning speed without the knowledge of the local police. Once action is taken the case can be transferred to local police after filing of a detailed report. There should also be deployment of more police force in agarwood cultivated areas and the concerned department to initiate steps to identify and nab the culprits who are involved in stealing of agarwoods.

10.GOVT. SHOULD DECLARE THE NATURALLY INFECTED AGARWOOD AREA AS HERITAGE CENTRE FOR TOURIST ATTRACTION.

It is a very rare phenomenon in case of natural infected agarwood and most of the tourist naturally want to visit these areas. So after identification of these area it should be declared as agarwood heritage centre of the country.

11.FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND FACILITIES FROM COMMERCIAL BANKS TO THE AGARWOOD FARMERS.

Due to lack of proper financial facilities by the present commercial banks agar growers fail to promote and plant trees. It is urgently required to implement a better financial schemes by the government so that commercial banks can facilitate loan facilities to the farmers.