Agarwood is a fragrant resinous wood formed in certain Aquilaria and Gyrinops species found across Southeast Asia, with key producing countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, Papua New Guinea and Viet Nam [1,2]. Populations of several Agarwood-producing tree species have faced significant declines, prompting international conservation concern. Recognizing the increasing pressure on wild populations, all known species of Aquilaria, Gonystylus, and Gyrinops have been included in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This listing mandates that countries involved in Agarwood trade must regulate exports through official permits to ensure sustainability and prevent overexploitation. Agarwood plantations are rapidly expanding across regions where Aquilaria is native, but concerns have emerged regarding the use of imported seeds—particularly from Thailand—in countries like Cambodia and Laos. Most plantations in these countries rely on Thai-sourced seeds, yet little to no verification has been done on the species identity or potential ecological impact. There is a growing risk that crossbreeding between Thai and native species may compromise local genetic diversity, potentially leading to the loss of native germplasm. To address this, urgent actions include conducting national surveys to document wild genetic resources, establishing conservation collections, assessing the genetic threat posed by foreign seedlings, and improving sustainable methods for inoculation and resin harvesting have been initiated by the AFoCO/038/2023 project implemented by the Forestry Administration of Cambodia since June 2023.
Cambodia’s Agarwood is highly regarded by some consumer countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, for their high quality [3]. Once abundant, these species have suffered from decades of overharvesting, habitat degradation, and unsustainable land use. Most of the remaining wild Agarwood trees now exist in deep forest areas of Protected Areas (PA) while some remaining regrowth agarwood are available in Community Forestry sites. Native Agarwood species have been planted in agricultural lands of local villages, as family-scale plantations.
The AFoCO/038/2023 project is a landmark initiative dedicated to the restoration of endangered native Agarwood species—Aquilaria crassna and Aquilaria malaccensis—across the Cardamom Mountain range in southwestern Cambodia (both species are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List). This multi-year project brings together local communities, forestry authorities, and international partners to rebuild natural Agarwood ecosystems, empower rural livelihoods, and promote sustainable forest management practices.
Mapping Native Habitats and Protecting Genetic Resources
The Cardamom region, including the provinces of Pursat, Battambang, Kampong Speu, and Koh Kong, historically supported thriving Agarwood populations. Today, these forests face mounting ecological pressure. In response, the project launched a comprehensive mapping initiative that combined ground-level field surveys with participatory consultations among community members. Using GIS technology, the project team successfully identified and mapped both historical and current Agarwood habitats, creating a scientific baseline for future restoration activities.
A key outcome of this effort was the official registration of 20 parent trees—17 located in Koh Kong, 2 in Pursat, and 1 in Battambang provinces. These trees are now preserved as critical seed sources, anchoring a localized supply network that connects Community Forestry members, private plantation owners, and seed collectors. Their protection ensures the genetic viability of future Agarwood populations and supports the expansion of well-managed plantations. Despite these advances, the species continue to face serious challenges. Unsustainable harvesting practices, land-use changes for agriculture, and a general lack of technical expertise among growers are major threats to long-term conservation. To address these issues, the project recommends strengthening regulatory frameworks, expanding training programs for collectors and growers, and launching awareness campaigns that promote sustainable cultivation and harvesting techniques.
Assessing Wild Populations and Habitat Conditions
To understand the current status of native Agarwood in the wild, the project established 176 field inventory plots across Koh Kong, Pursat, and Battambang provinces. The results revealed that most of the trees observed were young, with trunk diameters under 5 centimeters. This age and size distribution reflect a legacy of overharvesting, in which , resin-producing trees were very much prematurely removed from the forest.
Among the surveyed provinces, Koh Kong demonstrated the highest density of native Agarwood trees, with up to three trees per hectare in certain locations. Pursat followed with an average of two trees per hectare, while Battambang had the lowest density, with only one tree per hectare. Although Aquilaria malaccensis appears to produce better quality resins in natural forests, A. crassna is favored in plantations due to its higher resin yield, making the conservation of both species essential for genetic diversity and economic potential.
Piloting Agarwood Restoration in Former Habitats
As of July 2025, the project successfully planted 50,100 seedlings across 35.5 hectares (consisting of 24 ha of enrichment planting and 11.5 ha of monoculture plantation) of Community Forests, private plantations and family-scale plantations. These restoration efforts contribute to the Royal Government National Forest Program of 2010 – 2029, which targets to restore 50,000 ha of degraded forests every year; and Community Forestry is one of the immediate priority areas for restoration.
Empowering Local Knowledge and Value Chains in Agarwood Oil Production
As part of its commitment to community empowerment, the project conducted a series of Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions from February 6–13, 2024 till 7 August 2025, across Community Forestry sites in Pursat, Battambang, and Koh Kong provinces. A total of 164 (57 females) participants—including Community Forestry members, Forestry Administration staff, and project field personnel—were trained in the handling, recording, and planting of Agarwood seedlings. The training covered species restoration concepts, nursery techniques, seedling ecology, and enrichment planting methods. Participants also shared local knowledge, including insights from former Agarwood resin collectors, and gained hands-on experience in seedling care and site preparation. These sessions not only strengthened technical capacity at the grassroots level, but also fostered collaboration and networking among stakeholders in Agarwood restoration.
In Koh Kong province, the project has worked closely with local communities to document and improve traditional Agarwood oil extraction practices. These methods, passed down through generations, are now being integrated with modern scientific innovations to increase both efficiency and resin quality. The process begins with careful seedling preparation and plantation management, followed by chemical inoculation through the precise drilling of holes into the trees at around eight years of age to stimulate resin production. This inoculation process involves consideration of various factors such as growth patterns and environmental conditions to ensure effectiveness. Resin begins to form over a period of about three years after inoculation, after which harvesting should be carried out.
The Agarwood oil extraction process involves several carefully managed steps to ensure high-quality oil production. First, resin-containing wood (chips or peeled resin pieces) is milled into a fine powder known as resin powder. About 20 kilograms of this powder are soaked in water—preferably local groundwater, which is believed to enhance fragrance—in 200‑liter containers for around 35 days, with regular stirring to improve fermentation. After the soaking period, the solution is transferred into a distillation pan and boiled at a constant temperature of 100°C. During distillation, vapor passes through a cooling tube system before condensing into an oil‑water mixture collected in glass containers. The oil gradually separates from water, with excess water recycled back into the pan for re-distillation to recover any remaining oil. This process can last up to ten days, with periodic stirring to ensure efficiency. The final product is pure Agarwood oil, valued for its distinct aroma and quality, which can vary depending on resin content and the unique chemical properties of the local water used.
By sharing these techniques with smallholder growers and community members, the project is helping families move into the Agarwood value chain. This shift not only provides income opportunities but also reduces dependence on wild Agarwood harvesting, making it a key strategy for both conservation and livelihood development.
Toward a Sustainable Future: Recommendations for Conservation and Growth
In light of these findings, the project outlines several urgent actions. Training programs should be expanded to educate harvesters on sustainable resin collection methods. At the same time, the establishment of plantations using registered parent trees should be encouraged to reduce the pressure on natural forests. The project also recommends exploring the possibility of upgrading the CITES listing for native Agarwood species to enhance international trade controls and improve enforcement. Finally, greater coordination among government agencies is needed to align conservation goals with national policies and community-based initiatives.
The AFoCO/038/2023 project offers a practical, evidence-based approach to restoring endangered tree species while supporting local economic development. By weaving together scientific research, community engagement, traditional practices, and modern techniques, it creates a robust model for biodiversity conservation and sustainable forestry.
As the project continues, sustained investment in technical training, policy coordination, and local capacity building will be critical. The effort to restore native Agarwood in Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains stands not only as a beacon of ecological renewal, but also as a testament to the power of inclusive partnerships and long-term vision in protecting the region’s natural heritage.
PROJECT OVERVIEW – AFoCO/038/2023
Advancing Restoration of native Agarwood – Aquilaria crassna and A. malaccensis – for Sustainable Use and Management in Southwestern Cambodia
Project Duration & Budget: May 2023 – April 2026 / US$ 713,748 (AFoCO: US$ 658,248; National: US$ 55,000)
Implementing Agency: Department of Wildlife and Biodiversity, Forestry Administration, Cambodia
Project Sites: Cardamom Mountain Ranges of Southwestern Cambodia: Koh Kong, Pursat, Battambang and Kampong Speu Provinces
Project Outputs:
– Agarwood Oil Extraction Methodology Report (from local practices of Koh Kong province)
– Agarwood Awareness Raising Song https://youtu.be/FiXYG8KLr8c?si=t93G5DH9aV0-pphb
References
[1] Barden, A., Anak, N. A., Mulliken, T., & Song, M. (2000). Heart of the matter: Agarwood use and trade and CITES implementation for Aquilaria malaccensis. Traffic International, Cambridge, UK, 17-18.
[2] Persoon, G. A., & van Beek, H. H. (2008). Growing ‘the wood of the gods’: Agarwood production in southeast Asia. In Smallholder tree growing for rural development and environmental services: Lessons from Asia (pp. 245-262). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.
[3] Mohamed, R., & Lee, S. Y. (2016). Keeping up appearances: Agarwood grades and quality. In Agarwood: science behind the fragrance (pp. 149-167). Singapore: Springer Singapore.
Drafted by Lic Vuthy (Project Manager of AFoCO/038 & Chief of Office, Department of Wildlife and Biodiversity, Forest Administration of Cambodia) and Emily Marie Lim (Program Officer, AFoCO)