Native to Asia, the resinous Agarwood extracted from Aquilaria trees has a unique fragrance and is widely used as an ingredient in traditional medicine, world class perfume, incenses, aroma therapy, cosmetic and preservatives of accessories and commands a high value in international trade.
Locally, ‘Gyrinops Walla’ commonly known as ‘Walla Patta’ has come under the spot light with claims that the resin formed in Walla Patta is strongly similar to that of the commercially available Agarwood.
As a local endemic plant, ‘Walla Patta’ grows in wet and intermediate zones in Sri Lanka. With international demand for Agarwood increasing, rampant felling and illegal harvesting of these trees are taking place despite, none or very low (1-2 %) formation of Agarwood found in these trees.
Sadaharitha Plantations through a decade of research and investment understands the commercial and economically viable nature of Agarwood harvesting.
“The commercial production of Agarwood can be guaranteed in Sri Lanka only through the CA Kit (Cultivation Kits). The patent for this technology in Sri Lanka is held exclusively by Sadaharitha Plantations,” Managing Director, Sathis Navarathne emphasized.
The trees of ‘Aquilaria Crassna’ sold and distributed by Sadaharitha Plantations yields up to 60-80% in agarwood within and have also become a great investment for many customers ranging from housewives who plant the trees right in their garden to much larger scale farmers who grow in larger quantities amongst other crops.
The production of Agarwood can be carried out best through this unique patent to ensure commercial viability. While the inducement technology is the only application which guarantees Agarwood formation in resin producing trees, any use of the patent by companies other than Sadaharitha Plantations can lead to potential legal action.
According to Mr. Navarathne, research data has confirmed that though Agarwood in Walla Patta forms naturally, it does not distribute along the entire stem of the plant resulting in low formation of natural Agarwood.
This has now led to illegal profiteering and scams which has resulted in harming the country’s natural forests and endangering the natural habitat of the country, in trying to harvest agarwood illegally.
“The tragedy is the Walla Patta trees are cut, with the hope of getting a high price, whereas there is hardly any formation of Agarwood.” Mr. Navarathne added. Another issue is, various arrests made being publicized, which has led for various groups to get into illegal scams and profiteering by destroying the natural forests with hopes of making a quick buck based on inaccurate reporting of facts.
Demonstrating the soundness of its entire cultivation process and management of Agarwood plantations, Sadaharitha Plantations follows stringent regulations and conditions in the importation of the Aquilaria seeds which are then cultivated at their state-of-the-art nursery in Ingiriya which is today recognized as South Asia’s largest nursery for Agarwood cultivation.
As a responsible plantations company in the forefront of commercial forestry, Sadaharitha is mindful of the need to promote a green economy and will continue to play a central role in sustainable Agarwood harvesting.
“No matter how many types of ‘Pani’ are available in the market, Kithul Pani always gets the first choice as the public believes it has the best taste even though all the trees that produce treacle such as Coconut, Palmyra and Jaggery palm belong to the same family.
Likewise, although there are many trees from the same family that produce agarwood, our product Aquilaria Crassna produces the best type which has the highest yield as well as considered the highest in commercial viability” said Mr. Sathis Navarathne - Group Chairman of Sadaharitha Plantations.
