SHILLONG: Taking a cue from perfume baron Badruddin Ajmal from Assam, Meghalaya is eyeing to boost Agarbatti production considering its huge market in India and South East Asia.
The State Government is drafting the policy on the production and trade of Agarbatti which is a multi- million dollar business, the Chief Minister Mukul Sangma told reporters on Wednesday.
He also referred to Assam politician, AIUDF leader Badruddin Ajmal who is known as perfume baron as an example to show how the business can be successful.
With the poaching of forest areas where Agarbatti is available in Garo Hills, coupled with the present practice of unscientific harvesting, the Chief Minister said that sustainable and judicious use of Agarbatti will help in income generation.
“Though we have some patches of Agarbatti growing areas, they are not commercially exploited and the plan of the Government is to help the farmers to grow Agarbatti in areas like Ri Bhoi, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, whole of Garo Hills and Jaintia Hills”, the Chief Minister said.
Citing the recent smuggling of Agarbatti in Phulbari, the Chief Minister said that the proposed policy of the Government to boost Agarbatti production systematically will help in checking such incidents.
Highlighting the huge profits which can be derived from Agarbatti production, the Chief Minister said that the Government will also look into the aspect of setting up of processing units in the state.
