SANDAL WOOD PLANTATION AS A HORTICULTURE CROP

INTRODUCTION : The question arrises why should we plant sandalwood? to answer, sandal wood and its products are one of the finest perfumery materials since ages. The demand for the natural srigandha is increasing faster than of supply. Because of scarcity and supply industries are constrained to use alternates similar to Indian sandal wood, imported from different countries. Sandalwood (Chandan) and its products find use from cradle to cremation in human life. Even in temples imported chandan is used as to give prasadam. Sandal wood oil, because of its unique chemical and physical properties it has acquired a special place in aroma therapy medicine, perfumery, agarbatti Soaps and Detergents, Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic and allied industries.

Santalum Album Line (Sandal wood) is commonly known as Chandan, Srigandha. Naturally grown sandal wood can find in Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Andra, Kerala, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and U.P. Manipura and in some other states. Chandan is known all over the world as East Indian sandal wood and is prized for its quality of oil and heart wood. Chandana is also considered as medicinal plant and is used on large scale in the manufacture of Ayurvadic Medicines. National Medicinal Plant Board, govt.of India had recognized as a Medicinal and Aromatic Plant. This is endangered species too.

Sandal wood is an evergreen tree attaining a Height of 12 to 15 Meter and girth of 100 to 200cms. At breast height. It is semi –root parasite plant found in association with other plants.
There are many varieties in sandal wood. The best variety is known to till (Santalum Album line.

Some other Australian varieties of sandal wood known as
o Fusanees Spicatum
o Feesanus accuminota syn(Encary accminota
o Santalum Lancedatum
o Santalum austro Caledomicam has less scented heart wood and oil.
In other countries like-
Africa :Osyris Tenuifolia
Fiji :Santalum Yassi
Madagaskar : Jagga wood
West India :Amyris balsemiferal
But all of the above plants are not a competitive for Indian Sandalwood.

The Indian Sandal wood Chandan is in two different colours, White & Red.

LEGAL ASPECTS : The govt. of Gujarat Forest Department GR Dated 17th March. 2003, “Every occupant or holder of land shall be legally entitled to sandal wood tree in his land”

GOVT. SUBSIDY : National medicinal plants board (Dept. of I.S.M &H.) Govt. of India giving subsidy as per OPERATIOMAL GUIDELINES to Sandal wood cultivators.

LOAN FACILITIES : Nationalised Banks and co – op banks are financing the Sandal wood plantation projects.

INFORMATION & DETAILS FOR SANDALWOOD PLANTATION

Organic Farming of sandal wood cultivation : Sandal wood can be grown in variety of soil and ranging different climatic condition and temperature, not restricted to any region or area. The plantation grown Sandal wood with intensive cultivation in organic manner gives good results than the natural once. The naturally grown Chandan tree requires more than 30 years for harvesting, where as invasively cultivated plants starts formation of scented heart wood around 10 to 25 kgs. with the width of 30 cm and 65 cm. in 10 to 15 years. These results are based on the actual existing plantation in nearby places. The management practices, irrigation, fertilization, soil working, drainage, inducing stress and manipulation in hosteria are the main criteria for the early growth. Yearly growth around 2cm to 5 cm. it is cleat that sandal wood prefers a well drained, moderately fertile land and the heart wood the oil content in the wood seems to be better under drier conditions.

SAPPLINGS FOR PLANTATION: Collected seed from August to march with identified seed collecting area of the age between 15 to 25 years plants, dried and treated seeds used for sowing by indigiones or scientific method. Well developed healthy seedlings of 6 to 8 months old is ideal for planting in the farm. July to September is right time for planting.

COSTING AND PROFIT

Sandalwood is a semi root Parasite Plant. To grow well it will depend on a host plant. In the beginning we will provide Toordal.

In one acre land total plants be around 435. the distance from plant to plant is 10ft (10’*10’). The pits size 45cm*45cm*45cm. Water should not stagnate in pit. In summer we should provide water twice a week (2liters each plant) and Bio – fertilizer, weeding is necessary. After 3 to 4 years of cultivation it will starts flowering, by that time the formation of heart wood take place. After 12 years each plant may yield almost 10 to 25 kg of heart wood I.e., depend upon the growth of the tree. If we cultivate properly by 12 years the girth may around 60 cm at breast level. The oil content in root is 4% to 6% each year the growth will be 5cm

The Costing Per Acre
Plant Rs. 50 (vari.) X 435 = 21750.00
Host plants Rs. 10 X 435 = 4350.00
Planting cost (Including soil workings, Pits @ 5/=each Rs.4350.00
Cost of drip irrigation Rs. 105000.00
Fencing Rs. 42000.00
Annual weeding & soil working for 8 years (Rs.2000x8) =16000.00
Irrigation (Rs.2000 x 8) =16000.00
Fertilization (Rs.5000 x 8) =40000.00
Security & vigilance (Rs.36000/-per year) for 8 Yers Rs. 288000.00
Total Exp. Rs. 537450.00


SANDALWOOD HEART WOOD EXPECTED YIELD AT THE AGE OF FIFTEEN YEARS AFTER TAKING 30% AS MORALITIES, THEFTS ETC.

No of sandalwood trees eligible for extraction 305

Quantity of heart wood expected per tree-15 kgs 4575 kgs

Average cost of sandalwood heart wood (Rs. 6000/ Kg) Rs.2,74,50,000

Total Expenditure incurred per acre Rs. 5,37,450

Land & other infrastructures per acre Rs. 18,15,000

NET PROFIT WOULD BE MORE THAN Rs. 2,50,00,000/ Acre
(Approx.)




For Sandalwood / Chandan Plantation
We will guide you and supply you
The Sandalwood / Chandan saplings (which is raised under modern methods
Of nursery technic form Inter – pollinated seeds) & Sandalwood Seeds / Chandan seeds