Sunday, March 29, 2015

FAQ about Sandal Wood Plantation

SANDALWOOD
Is It legal to grow/sell Sandalwood? Does Govt Of India permit this?
Sandalwood trees were the property of the government for years, but now the rule has changed. As per the Section 108 of the Karnataka Forest (Amendment) Act 2001, sandalwood tree grown in a specific land is the property of the owner of the land. Hence, anybody can grow sandalwood without any apprehensions.The government is also giving subsidy to grow sandalwood through State Medicinal Plants Authority and Horticulture Department.
Can Sandalwood cultivation really fetch crores of rupees?
Yes it can. Kindly find the following increase in price since 1990 till 2010. The prices mentioned below at per metric ton (mt). As per our project analysis we would be able to fetch upto 8 (mt) from each acre of cultivation
  1. Indian Sandalwood has huge demand worldwide and the supply is currently way under the demand.
  2. 100 gms of branch wood (sandalwood) costs Rs 900 (source : Mysore sandal soap, Karnataka)
  3. 5 ml of sandalwood oil costs Rs 1350 (source : Mysore sandal soap, Karnataka)
  4. Per Kg of Sandalwood (heart wood ) is around 5000 rupees as on 2012. (Source- MSIL).
Is it possible to harvest Sandalwood in 15 years as we heard it takes around 35 - 40 years?
Sandalwood trees which was naturally grown in the forest atmosphere . Sandalwood is a semi parasite crop and depends on host plants for most of its nutrients, this is not readily available in the forest and therefore the growth takes time. Adding to this is the Govt policy which restricts living trees being cut down in Forests. Only dead Sandalwood trees in forests can be taken for production.
However, the scenario in organized cultivation is different. Through Stress development technique, providing Host plants, good water and fertilizer management are followed to ease Sandalwood’s growth with in 12-15 years.
Can we buy a plot of land without Sandalwood plantation on it, for construction?
No. The very purpose of we doing this project is to get the benefits from the final crop. On the behalf of the investors we can develop sandalwood plots on consultation basis.
What is the difference between Indian and Australian Sandalwood?
Of the 15 different species of sandalwood that grow throughout the world, there are 2 main varieties that are traded internationally. These are santalum spicatum (Australian sandalwood) and santalum album (Indian sandalwood). Australian sandalwood currently supplies well over half of all sandalwood traded around the globe annually. Australian sandalwood has historically been used in the agabati and incense markets in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong and most other Asian countries. It has been widely accepted in these areas for over 150 years. In recent years Australian sandalwood oil has been incorporated into many high end perfumes and other cosmetic products. Australian sandalwood does produce a lower oil content than Indian sandalwood although it consistently produces the oil forming heartwood from a very young age. Australian plantation sandalwood has been tried and tested in small plantations throughout WA for over 25 years by both private and Government organizations.
How much oil does one tree produce?
Oil yield in sandalwood trees varies between species. The oil is present only within the heartwood of the tree. The older the tree, the larger percentage of heartwood exists within the tree therefore the more oil is present within a given tree. On average, Australian sandalwood produces between 3 to 3.5% oil within the heartwood and Indian sandalwood betwen 3.5 and 5%, in its lifetime.
When is the Sandalwood seed produced and what is it used for?
Sandalwood trees start producing seed from around 4 years of age. Currently, the main market is to supply the sandalwood plantation industry. The seed also has great potential within the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries as it has many unique properties within the kernel itself. It has very high levels of protein and may also be used as a food product.
Does the growing of Sandalwood help to combat climate change?
Yes, any tree crop contributes to combat climate change through the absorption of greenhouse gases.

Major Uses of Sandal Wood

Medicinal Uses:

The wood is bitter, dry, antipyretic, aphrodisiac useful in diseases of the heart, burning sensation, cold, bronchitis, vaginal discharges and small pox.

The wood is tonic to the heart and the brain. 

Paste is useful in inflammation and head ache. 

It has antiseptic properties and can be applied to skin. Local people commonly apply the wood ground up with water in to a paste to local inflammations to the temples in fevers and to skin diseases to allay heat. 

In Madagascar, the wood is mixed with salt and applied to wounds. The heart wood and root contains scented sandal wood oil, which are highly valued in medicine, cosmetics, perfumery and industries. 

Wood is used for fine carvings also.

Sandal finds many religious uses also.



Sandal wood oil is the base of high quality perfumes. 

In medicine it is used as antiseptic and antipyretic. 

The sandal wood is known as a remedy for fever, indigestion and palpitations. 

The paste of heartwood is applied on inflammations, skin diseases etc. 

It is considered sacred by Hindus. 

The heartwood is coolant, and is reported to be bitter, diuretic, disinfectant, anti septic cardiac, sedative and tonic. 

It is a curative medicine for bronchitis, biliousness, fever, thirst cystitis, dysentery, gonorrhea, ulcers and genitor-urinary tract problems. 

The paste of heartwood is a medicament for skin problems and in the preparation of Ashokaristam, Chandanadi choornam, Chandanasavam, Anutailam and Dhanvantaram kashayam etc. 

There are different types of chandana, referred to in Sanskrit literatures. Many adulterants and some synthetic products used in the market have cut down the quality of sandalwood products and medicines.

Other Uses:
The wood is largely used for making small domestic items; it retains its pleasant perfume for a long time. The wood powder is used for making Agarbathis and as incense powder. The oil is largely used as perfume in in toilet fresheners’ preparations and in insecticides also.

Incentives for Sandal Wood Plantation

Incentives for Sandal Wood Plantation

  1. Govt. of India encouraging farmers and growers for cultivation.
  2. Since the plant is highly endangered in Red listed plant species of India and world.
  3. Govt. of India supporting with a subsidy on cultivation with 75% of total cost of cultivation through National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB). APMPB in Andhra Pradesh.
  4. Huge growing market demand.
  5. Many buyers are eager to purchase the wood.
  6. Easy to cultivate.
  7. Forest department removed restrictions on cultivation.
  8. Our Soils and Climate are suitable for cultivation.
  9. Draught and shade resistant.

The major reasons and scope for cultivation:

The major reasons and scope for cultivation:

  1. Exhausting population of sandal plant in our forests due to indiscriminate destruction of forests.
  2. Depending completely on forests from ancient times.
  3. Growing demand nationally and internationally.
  4. There was no permission for growing this plant in fields and at home.
  5. Sandal wood is now highly endangered species in India.
  6. Sandal wood is a perennial plant takes at least 15 years for harvest.

Which Part is Useful

Parts Used:Heart Wood and Sap Wood. The heart wood is a yellowish brown 

or orange color.Sap wood is lighter in color and used in ornamental items and 

furniture, carved boxes, jewel cases, combs, hand fans and walking sticks etc.

Experts in this field

Developed by Dr. S.Viswanath, Scientist-E, TIP Division, IWST 

Dr. Geeta Joshi, Scientist-E , TIP Div, IWST 

Dr. T.S. Rathore (formerly Scientist F & Head, TIP, Div, IWST) Director, AFRI, Jodhpur 

Dr. D. Annapurna, Woman scientist (WOS scheme) , IWST 

Information compiled by Dr. S.Viswanath, Dr Geeta Joshi, Dr A.N. Arun Kumar, Dr Ashutosh Srivastava, TIP Division, IWST

Sandal plantation Economics

Financials 
For the farmer who prefer regular cash flow, the sandal+amla+horsegram in a 15 rotation is recommended. 

The total cost of cultivation over the 15 year period + The other costs involved are solar fencing, Water Storage, Drip Irrigation, Men Security, Dog Security, Electricity, Insurance & Interest.

Of the total cost nearly 50% works out to be protection costs. 

The revenue from sandal tree extraction and processing in 15th year works out to Rs 25,000/per KG in 2030 (25 Kg per tree) (sapwood, heart wood and mixed wood including). In the 15th year Rs 70,00,000 for 12 plants can be expected.