Agarwood Cultivation in Uganda

Introduction

Known as the Woods of God, Agarwood is a highly aromatic wood sourced from the mold
infected Aquilaria tree. The oil obtained from the resin of the infected tree is valuable and priced
really high. Twenty-one different types of Aquilaria have been identified growing in the wild and
some of these are now cultivated in farms.

Cultivating agarwood trees is a lucrative business, as the wood from the plants fetches a good
price. However, if you are planning to do Agarwood plantations in Kerala, then you should do
some research on the basic requirements like specific soil, climatic conditions and other factors
for the better growth of the wood.

Type of Soil and Climate for Agarwood Farming

The agarwood plantations do well in hilly terrains, and an elevation of 750mtrs above sea level
is considered perfect for the plants to thrive. They grow well in red, yellow podzolic, clay sandy
soil and survive in regions receiving a copious amount of annual rainfall, measuring between
2000-4000mm. The ideal temperatures in which to grow these trees varies between 20°-33° C,
with considerably high humidity levels of 77-85%.

Some cultivators have had success in growing Agarwood trees at lower elevations at
200mabove sea level, in slightly varying environments. So, the trees are sustainable, though
there is still scope for research to determine optimum ecological influences for the production of
Agarwood.
Plantation of Agarwood

In a natural environment, under natural conditions, a tree takes decades to reach its maturity,
but this whole process can be reduced to a fraction through the intervention of technology.
Artificial inoculation shortens the period drastically, and agarwood is ready for harvesting in
minimum possible time.

Suitability of Agarwood for Uganda

Climatic condition

Uganda’s climate is largely tropical with two rainy seasons per year, March to May and
September to December. The northern region, which forms one quarter of the country lies
outside the tropical belt, and hence experiences only one rainy season, March to October. The
rest of Uganda lies within a relatively humid equatorial climate zones, and the topography,
prevailing winds, and lakes and rivers cause large differences in rainfall patterns across the
country. It’s location in the tropics and across the equator results in the country’s weather and
seasonal being determined by the large-scale Indian Monsoon, Congo air mass, Indian Ocean
Dipole (IOD) and the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone systems. Uganda also experiences the
El Nino phenomena, which are principal driving forces of intra-annual to inter annual rainfall
variability. Overall, Uganda experiences moderate temperatures throughout the year, around
22.8°C, with monthly temperatures ranging between 21.7°C (July) and 23.9°C
(February). (https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/)

Soil Types and its suitability for Agarwood in Uganda

The general soils types are Uganda are clay, sandy clay, clay loam and loam soils. Tropical wet
evergreen climate with above soil types support the growth of tropical trees without any growth
retardation throughout the year (Comparing Uganda's indigenous soil classification system with
World Reference Base and USDA Soil Taxonomy to predict soil productivity, 2020).
Pest and Dieses tolerance

Since there is no scientific evidence on presence of Agarwood in Uganda, there is no literature

available for pest and dieses. But, in natural environment, Agarwood species do not have pest
and dieses. But, there is a potential of having natural enemies under monoculture plantation
where bio diversity is minimum.

Considering the natural vegetation in Uganda, Agarwood can also be grown without soil and
climate issues.

Legal Requirements to introduce a new plant species to Uganda

Import and introduction of new plant species to the natural environment of Uganda is controlled
by THE PLANT PROTECTION ACT of Uganda. Some of important points described in the Act
is given below.

(1) No plant or part of a plant shall be imported into Uganda except under the authority of a
permit previously obtained from, and signed by, the commissioner for agriculture or an
officer of the department of agriculture authorized by the commissioner, and subject to
the conditions stated in the permit. The above authority comes under the Ministry of
Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) in Uganda.
(2) All applications for permits shall state—
a. the full name and address of the applicant;
b. the name and address of the person or firm from whom the plants or seeds are to
be obtained;
c. the names and quantities of the plants or seeds to be obtained; and
d. the name of the farm or estate on which the plants or seeds are to be planted
and the district or area in which it is situated.
(3) All plants, seeds and fruits, other than dried, canned or bottled fruits, imported into
Uganda shall be examined by an inspector
(4) The commissioner for agriculture may require imported plants to be detained in
quarantine or in special nurseries or places approved by him or her for such period as he
or she may think fit.
(5) The importation of all species of fruit trees and fruit grown in or consigned from Japan,
China, Korea or Manchuria is prohibited.
 (6) No living insects or invertebrate animals in any stage, known or likely to be injurious to
agriculture or to infect any plant with any pest or disease, may be imported except by
virtue of a permit previously obtained from and signed by the commissioner for
agriculture and under the conditions stated in the permit.

Therefore, it is necessary to obtain import permit from the under the Ministry of Agriculture,
Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) in Uganda prior to import seeds from other countries.

After obtaining necessary permits, seeds can be imported under the inspection of authorities
and can start the plant nursery.