Sandalwood Cultivation

Introduction

Sandalwood is one of the materials being used from centuries and this tree is ever green and reaches
up to 13 to 16 meter height with girth of 100 cm to 200 cm and is variable in habit, usually upright to
sprawling. It has cultural importance and commercial/medicinal uses as well.

Uses and Health Benefits of Sandalwood

 Sandalwood works as an anti-inflammatory agent.

 Sandalwood is mainly used in perfumery products.
 Sandalwood essential oil used in aromatherapy to reduce stress, hypertension.
 Sandalwood essential oil heals wounds and treating skin blemishes.
 Sandalwood used in deodorants and can be blended with other essential oils to make different
fragrances.
 Sandalwood is used in religious rituals.
 Sandalwood essential oil has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and astringent
properties.
 Sandalwood essential oil is a memory booster.

Common Names of Sandalwood in India

Safed Chandan, Chandan, Sandal and Sandalwood, Santalum album, ShiriGandha, Aninditha, Arishta
Phalam, Bhadhrashraya, Sarpavasa, Chandrakanta, Gandhasara,Thailaparna and Malayaja.

Local Names of Sandalwood in India

Chandan (Hindi), Gandhapu Chekka (Telugu), Cantana (Tamil), Raktacandanaṁ (Malayalam),

Śrigandhada (Kannada), Candana (Marathi), Candana (Gujarati), Canana (Punjabi), Candana (Bengali)

Varieties of Sandalwood

Indian sandalwood, Australian sandalwood are mostly grown though there more than 15 varieties
(cultivars) are available throughout the world.

Climate Requirement for Sandalwood Cultivation

Sandalwood crop requires and grows well in hot and humid climatic conditions. The ideal temperature
for sandalwood tree growth is between 12° and 35°C.
Soil Requirement of Sandalwood Cultivation

Sandalwood trees can be grown in any well-drained soils having good organic matter. However, red
sandy loam soils are best for their growth and yield. If you are planning for commercial cultivation of
sandalwood, it is advised to go for soil test and fulfill the nutrient requirements in the soil based on soil
test results. Sandalwood grows better in slight alkaline soils with pH range of 6.5 to 7.5.

Preparation for Sandalwood Cultivation

Give couple of ploughing to bring the soil to fine tilth stage and weed free. Prepare the soil or beds in
such a way that excess water will drain out quickly in case of heavy rains or floods.

Propagation in Sandalwood Cultivation

Sandalwood can be propagated by means of seeds and vegetative through tissue culture.

Planting and Spacing in Sandalwood Cultivation

Usually seeds collected from plants age of 15 to 20 years in august to march is best for its growth and
yield. These collected plants should be dried up and well-treated before sowing on nursery beds.
Generally, 7 to 8 months old well branched seedlings of 30 to 35 cm height raised on nursery beds are
used for transplanting in main field. Two types of seed beds such as “sunken” and “raised beds” are
used to raise the sandalwood seedlings.

The pits size of 45 x 45 x 45 cm should be dug during soil/land preparation. The plant-to-plant distance
should be 10 feet (3 m). Make sure there will not be any stagnated water in pits before planting. Expose
pits for sun for couple of days to dry up the pits any pests will be destroyed.

Sandalwood will start flowering after 4 years planting and need to make sure to remove the weeds and
dried/diseased branches on regular basis to make the field weed free. Prefer to use Bio-fertilizers in
sandalwood cultivation.

Irrigation in Sandalwood Cultivation

Sandalwood crop can be grown throughout the year provided there is enough irrigation facility
available. When it comes to water requirement, irrigation should be provided at an interval of 2 to 3
weeks when the plants are young especially in hot and summer climatic conditions. Go for drip irrigation
in regions where water source is limited. Sandalwood plant does not require any irrigation in rainy
season and make sure to drain out any excess water from the tree basin.

Manures and Fertilizers in Sandalwood Cultivation

Any agriculture crop responds well to organic and chemical fertilizers. However, any medicinal crop
should be grown without any chemical fertilizers and use of pesticides. Well rotten farm yard manure
(FYM) like cow dung, garden compost, vermin-compost or any manure made from green leaves can be
used. For controlling any pests and diseases in sandalwood cultivation, bio-pesticides should be
prepared from Neem (kernel, seeds & leaves), Chitrakmool, Dhatura, Cow’s urine etc.
Weed control Sandalwood Cultivation

Weeding and thinning should be carried at regular intervals for establishing a standard framework of
sandalwood plantation.

Pests and Diseases in Sandalwood Cultivation

To prevent diseases and pests, bio-pesticides could be prepared with single or mixture from Neem
kernel, Neem seeds and Neem leaves, chitrakmool, dhatura and cow urine.

Harvest and Post-Harvest in Sandalwood Cultivation

Usually sandalwood trees will be ready for harvesting after 30 years of planting. During harvesting of
sandalwood, the soft wood is removed and then hard wood is chipped which would be converted into
powder in a mill. After soaking the powder in water for 2 days (48 hours) and distilled. The essential oil
from sandalwood is rectified by re-distillation and filtration.

Yield in Sandalwood Cultivation

As sandalwood takes longer than any other tree to grow, one should have patience to wait for its yield
and profit. On an average it grows 5 cm girth per year under good soil and climatic conditions.

Approximate growth of sandalwood each year

Age of Sandalwood Tree (in years). Girth (in cm). Hear wood yield (in kg).
10 10 1
20 22 4
30 33 10
40 44 20
50 55 30

Primary factors that influence the sandalwood growth

Selection of land, selecting the sandal wood spices, host plant management, Irrigation management,
pest and disease control management.

Economics of Sandalwood Cultivation

Well, the rate or price of sandalwood or any medicinal plants varies every year and depends on market
conditions. The retail government rate of heart wood in India is about 500 to 600 Rupees/ kg (This may
vary, please contact local forest department for current price of heartwood.)
Subsidy and Loan for Sandalwood Cultivation in India

In India, there is a subsidy and loan facility available for the farmers who want to grow sandalwood.
There are many banks including NABARD are financing for commercial cultivation of sandalwood
projects. NMPB (National medicinal plants board) is also providing subsidies on sandalwood projects.
Please contact them directly for more and current subsidy/loan information.

Cost and Profit in Sandalwood Cultivation

Well, profits in any agriculture/crop depend on many factors. However, Sandalwood farming is long-
term and highly profitable crop. Here is a sample project cost and profit scenario in India. One should
understand that these things will change region to region and year to year based on market conditions.

For one acre of land, usually the plant density is about 400 to 440 (where 10 feet distance is
maintained between plants).

Usually, cost per acre depends on many factors like plant cost, labour cost for planting, drip cost, soil
working and weed control (at current market), pests/disease cost and others.

 On average 1 acre of sandalwood plantation cost 6,00,000 INR (six lakh Indian rupees).
 Sandalwood heart wood is costing about 6,000 Rs/kg.
 Total yield of 5000 kg can be expected.
 So, total expected price after 15 to 20 years is: 5000 x 6,000 = 3, 00, 00,000 (3 crore).
 Total cost/expenditure + other costs = 6,00,000 INR plus land cost per acre 20,00,000 INR =
26,00,000
 Net profit can be expected: 3,00,00,000 – 26,00,000 = 2,74,00,000/acre.