Sandalwood farming is one of the most profitable agricultural practices. Its wood is especially associated with worship in Hinduism and the civilization of Indian culture. As a result, Sandalwood is as valuable as gold. Its plants take 12 to 15 years to get ready, whose length can be found up to 20 metres. Moreover, all parts of the sandalwood tree are used; the older the tree, the more oil it contains. However, Sandalwood farming is banned in many parts of India. Thus, its cultivation requires legal permission.

Sandalwood Farming Necessary Steps: Overview 

We have described all the essential details about the Sandalwood farming. Also, this blog discusses the profits in its cultivation. 

Suitable Climate And Soil In Sandalwood Farming

Red sandy loam soil is required for sandalwood farming. Its cultivation requires land with proper drainage, and the pH value of the land should be between 7 to 8.5. Moreover, Sandalwood farming done in alluvial and moist soil yields less oil.

Sandalwood is a dry climate plant, so Sandalwood farming does not require much cold. Because the frost in winter is unsuitable for its growth, its plants require a maximum of 500 to 625 mm of rain. Sandalwood farming requires a maximum temperature of 35 and a minimum of 15 degrees. Also, its plants can tolerate more sunlight easily.

Sandalwood Farming Field Preparation & Fertilizer 

Before cultivating Sandalwood, its field is prepared well. For this, the field is deeply ploughed, due to which the remains of the old crop present in the field are destroyed. After ploughing, the field in Sandalwood farming is left open for some time. Then, apply water in the field and make it flat with the help of a Powertrac tractor. After ploughing, two to three slant ploughing of the field is done by applying a rotavator. After this, pits are prepared for transplanting plants in Sandalwood farming. These pits should be 2 feet deep and 3 to 4 feet wide at a distance of 10 feet.

After this, dung manure mixed well with soil is filled in these pits. If you want, you can also use organic manure instead of cow dung. Sandalwood farming does not need chemical fertilizers. The sandalwood plant depends on other plants to obtain nutrients, so its plants do not require special fertilizers. Moreover, its plants take their own food, water and mineral elements from other plants. However, 5 to 10 KG of cow dung is mixed well in the soil and filled in the pits. Note that this fertilizer must be given to sandalwood plants twice a year.

Planting Season For Sandalwood

Planting sandalwood plants is done both in the form of seeds and seedlings. It is best to use seedlings for transplanting in sandalwood farming, as seed germination can take more than three months by seed plantation. You can buy its plants from any government-registered nursery. However, while purchasing the seedlings for Sandalwood farming, it must be noted that they should be healthy.

The right time for transplanting in sandalwood farming is the rainy season because its plants develop well during this time. However, if you want, you can plant seedlings even before the rainy season.

Irrigation Requirements For Sandalwood Farming 

Sandalwood plants require more irrigation. That's why Sandalwood farming is done in the rainy season. Irrigation of its plants is done in monsoon only when needed. To maintain moisture in the plants in the summer season, give water to the plants for two to three days. Apart from this, irrigate the plants once a week in the winter season in Sandalwood farming.

Sandalwood Farming Weed Control Method

Sandalwood plants require weed control in the beginning. So, in the beginning, when weeds appear in Sandalwood farming, removing them with the help of a Sonalika tractor is crucial. Apart from this, sandalwood plants have to be protected from wild plants. Therefore, remember to kill the wild plants that grow in the field.

Prevention Of Plant Disease In Sandalwood

Rarely are diseases seen on sandalwood plants, but some diseases are such that they cause more damage to sandalwood plants. In this, infectious vegetative and sandal spike disease is mysterious and more dangerous. To prevent this disease, no treatment has been proven effective so far. The leaves of the plant affected by this disease begin to curl and become smaller, due to which the plant takes a distorted form.

To prevent this disease, neem plants are planted near sandalwood plants. Due to this, the plants also get food, and the risk of getting diseases also reduces.

Sandalwood Farming: Yield & Benefits

It takes about 12 to 15 years from the time of transplanting the sandalwood plant to get ready. The older its plant is, the better it is, and Sandalwood is harvested on the basis of quality. Before harvesting sandalwood farming, we have to take permission from the government. Apart from this, if your planted tree is stolen, you can also complain to the police. Although Sandalwood plants take more time to mature, it is the best in terms of income.

Also, 20 to 30 KG of wood is obtained from a developed sandalwood tree, and 400 plants can be prepared from Sandalwood farming on one acre of land.