Agarwood's Rise in India: Empowering Farmers Amid Budget 2026 Hopes
New Delhi: India is witnessing a quiet but significant transformation in its agro-forestry landscape as agarwood cultivation emerges as a high-value, sustainable livelihood option for farmers. Once known primarily as a rare forest resource, agarwood—also called oudh or gaharu —is now being systematically cultivated across several Indian states, promising strong economic returns and rural employment. Agarwood is produced by Aquilaria species when the tree forms a resin in response to infection or injury. This resin-rich wood is among the world’s most expensive natural products, widely used in perfumes, incense, traditional medicines, and luxury cosmetics , particularly in Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian markets. Traditionally harvested from wild forests, agarwood faced overexploitation and strict international controls under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). However, scientific cultivation techniques , artificial inoculation methods,...