Sandalwood

In the past, sandalwood farming was thought to be the main economic driver in Mysore, where the state's entire budget was reliant on it. Although sandalwood farming in India has been well-known for many years, it was primarily limited to the forests and plantations of the South Indian state governments. Nevertheless, these governments changed their stance in 2002 to allow for sandalwood farming. 

To prevent a sandalwood shortage in the near future, the Karnataka State Forest Department has relaxed the rules governing sandalwood cultivation. The Karnataka Tree Act of 1927 is being suggested to be amended, and the forest department permits people to freely own and do sandalwood cultivation. After careful examination by the officials, permission is granted to chop down a sandalwood tree that is owned by a private individual. When all legalities are completed, the fallen tree is brought to the sandalwood warehouse and auctioned. Private sandalwood cultivation of this priceless tree is currently expanding quickly.

Primary Elements

Indian sandalwood is widely valued for its aromatic, fragrant wood, which is one of its main characteristics.

• . Sandalwood oil is used in cosmetics, aromatherapy, fragrances, and pharmaceutical preparations.
• Sandalwood is a very valuable material that is utilized in carving.
• Up to 6% oil and 90% of ⍶ and β santalols make up Indian sandalwood (which is claimed to be the highest)

In the worldwide markets, sandalwood is in great demand (20,000 metric tonnes and 1,000 tonnes, respectively), and the present global supply cannot keep up with this demand, which has caused sandalwood prices to skyrocket. Growing sandalwood is a tremendously lucrative industry that requires very little upkeep. Continue reading to learn more about the cultivation process and upkeep information In order for the trees to develop healthily, you need the proper climate, land, soil, and irrigation system if you plan to engage in sandalwood farming. To attain a good ROI (Return on Investment), you must plan out the entire procedure in advance. Climate Condition Sandalwood trees grow best in hot, humid climates seen in tropical and subtropical locations. The cultivation requires areas at fairly higher altitudes and temperatures between 12 and 40 degrees Celsius (preferably 2000 to 3500 feet above sea level).

Harvesting

Sandalwood is the only wood in the world that is sold by weight, and investing in its cultivation may yield enormous returns. The top-quality sandalwood is occasionally sold for about Rs 10,000 per kilogram, with a market price range of Rs 3,000 to Rs 7,000 per kg. The heartwood of a sandalwood tree begins to develop around the age of eight and may be harvested 12 to 15 years following planting. .

Sandalwood is in great demand in both the domestic and global markets. So, investing in the growth of sandalwood will yield substantial rewards .

You might anticipate a harvest of 5000 kg of sandalwood from an acre of land. Sandalwood cultivation will cost around Rs 8 to 10 lakh per acre, but the profits might be anywhere from Rs 3 crore to Rs 4 crore.

Required Soil

Sandalwood may grow in a range of soil types, including rocky hard ground, clay-rich black soil, sandy soil, and soils that are red clay-rich. It can even withstand gravelly soil. The pH of the soil needs to fall between 6 and 7.5 .

Irrigation

Sandalwood plants require less water to grow. Throughout the summer, the young sandalwood plants require watering once every two to three weeks. In the event of rain, they might not need irrigation .

How can a sandalwood tree be planted?

In sandalwood farming, seeds are mostly used for sowing. You may pick the Chandan seeds from these trees between August and March after they are 15 to 20 years old. Before they seminate on nursery beds, the seeds you have gathered need to be well-treated and dried in the sun. For the planting of sandalwood seeds, the nursery has two different types of seedbeds available:

• Sunken beds 
• Raised beds

On nursery beds, a seedling can reach a height of 30 to 35 cm after 7 to 8 months. Also, they will get ready for being moved to the primary pitch. You must concurrently excavate a trench measuring 45*45*45 cm for the planting of sandalwood seedlings while preparing the area or soil for the cultivation of sandalwood trees.

When planting seedlings, you must make sure that water will not remain stable in pits.
If the holes contain any water, you must remove them from the sunshine for a few days. Also, you must maintain a 10-foot space between each plant. After four years of planting, your sandalwood trees will begin to bloom.

Species of Sandalwood

Even though there are various sandalwood species, just two of them—White Sandalwood and Red Sandalwood—are cultivated the most frequently. White sandalwood is quite expensive due to its beauty and therapeutic qualities. It has a variety of medicinal properties that are used in alternative treatments. Learn about their key differences.

Step 1: Get Organic Certification

Obtaining organic certification is a crucial step in starting your organic farming business. Here's how to proceed, depending on whether you aim to export your produce or cater to the domestic market:

1. For Exporting Produce:

India Organic Certificate: This certificate, issued by The Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), is internationally recognized and allows you to export your organic produce. The certification is based on the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).

Application Process:

• Check the list of accredited certification bodies under NPOP on the APEDA website.
• Select an agency and contact them for detailed procedures or download the application form from their website.
• Submit the filled form along with supporting documents to the agency.
• The cost for certification is approximately Rs. 40,000 to 50,000 for 56 acres of land.

2. For Domestic Market:

PGS Organic Certificate: This free certificate, provided through regional councils under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, allows you to supply organic produce within India. 

Step 2: Select Suitable Crops

Contrary to popular myths, a variety of crops can be grown organically. It is advisable to:

• Select crops based on geographical, soil, and environmental conditions.
• Observe what other farmers are growing in your area and consider market prices.
• Choose crops that fetch good prices to ensure profitability.

Step 3: Identify Markets

Having a clear idea of where to sell your organic produce is essential. Here are some options:

• APMCs (Agriculture Produce Market Committees): Visit APMCs to find traders dealing in organic products.
• Contract Farming: Collaborate with companies for a guaranteed buyback of your produce.
• Processing Units: Add value to your raw produce by processing it (e.g., making ketchup from organic tomatoes).
• Warehouses and Cold Storages: Store your produce if market prices are low at harvest time and sell later when prices improve.

Step 4: Fertilizer Application, Pest & Disease Management

Use organic fertilizers and pesticides to avoid adverse effects on the environment and human health. Here are some methods:

• Organic Fertilizers: Replace DAP with a mixture of cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, gram flour, and fertile soil. For micronutrients, use neem kernel powder, gram flour, jaggery, and waste decomposer liquid.
• Organic Pesticides: Make pesticides using neem tree branches or leaves and datura plants. Boil and dilute the mixture before spraying.
• Readymade Organic Inputs: Purchase pure organic fertilizers and pesticides from reliable companies if you prefer not to make them yourself.

Step 5: Harvesting and Marketing

Once your crops are ready, harvest them and use the identified market channels to sell your produce.
With careful planning and research, you'll be well on your way to starting a successful organic farming business.