Facing labour shortages and uncertain monsoons, areca nut farmers sought alternatives for their cropping patterns. Kadamba stepped in, exploring viable options, and in 2009 introduced Agar Wood, a high-value, fragrant tree traditionally grown in Southeast Asia and now cultivated in Uttara Kannada.
Agar Wood thrives in the region's hilly terrain, offering returns even more lucrative than sandalwood. With Kadamba's guidance and collaboration with organizations like Vanadurgi Agar Wood Public Limited, over 1,500 farmers have embraced this crop, transforming it into a horticultural milestone.
Agar Wood is in high demand in the Middle East and Western countries, and Kadamba's area expansion program continues to promote its cultivation, solidifying its role as a promising alternative in the region.
About
In India, it is considered as one of the endangered species by the environmental department. But one can find the artificial cultivation in the north eastern region, particularly in the state of Assam.
Agar wood is in high demand in Middle East & Western countries.
This tree grows very well in our hilly region and fetches good dividends. Sometimes, it is more remunerative than sandal wood.
Since 2009, Kadamba has been in touch with other organizations like Vanadurgi Agar Wood Public Limited which deals in this crop and as such this was introduced it to the farmers of Uttar Kannada district.
Now, there are more than 1500 farmers growing this tree and this has been proved as a new milestone in the area of horticulture in Uttara Kannada district. The area expansion program is still continuing.
Today, under the leadership of ‘Kadamba Foundation, Agar Wood has become a familiar horticultural crop in this region. And gradually expanding it base in the neighboring districts also.
Agar wood (gaharu, aloe wood) is formed in a tropical evergreen tree called Agar tree (Aquilaria species) which is believed to have originated from Assam, India. Agarwood, both the oil and the wood, is derived from around 3 species of Aquilaria tree which grows, from the states of Eastern India through Burma, down through Thailand, Indochina and along the Malaya peninsula to Papua New Guinea and even Bornea.
Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine have used it as a natural sedative, aphrodisiac, digestive aid and pain reliever. Rich in antioxidants and anti inflammatory agents, agarwood oil reduces joint pain, treats acne and other skin irritations and even fights breast cancer. Agarwood oil is used in a boiled concoction to treat rheumatism and other body pain. It has been noted for its use as a complex ointment for smallpox and for various abdominal complaints. When used in aromatherapy, agarwood oil may help to treat anxiety, stress, depression and other nervous system disorders.
Agarwood is one of the most expensive non-timber wood products of the world. It has multidimensional uses in perfume, cosmetics and medicine sector. On the backdrop of huge cost and extreme rarity in the wild, the trees from which agarwood oil is obtained are now cultivated and the resin is actually created by artificial infection and its essential oil is extracted by water distillation. The agarwood oil is gaining widespread popularity on the backdrop of its manifold advantages offered by it.
| No.of Plants | No of Farmers | Subsidy in ₹ |
|---|---|---|
| 10119 | 1381 | 304930.00 |
The Agar wood awareness programme was conducted by Kadamba at the beginning. Many progressive farmers and other researchers have been involved in the orientation programme.
The farmers gathered in the very first seminar in Sirsi
Innspecting the grown Agar wood trees in a farm. The reprecentitives from Vanadurgi Agar wood were guiding the farmers
Mr, Anantkumar Hegde and Shri Dharmendra Hegde (Vanadurgi Agarwood) along with grown Agar wood tree
The very first agar wood innaculation programme conducted by the Vanadurgi and Kadamba organaisation in Golimakki village at Siddapur (Utttara Kannada)
The training and orientation programme after the Agar woood innaculation at Golimakki village
The very first Agar wood innaculation programme organaised by Kadamba and Vanadurgi Agar Wood company, in Sheegehalli village at Sirsi (Uttara Kannada)
Farmers Orientation and Agar wood Innnaculation programme at Shigehalli villlage in Sirsi (Uttara Kannada)