The name sandalwood gives a feeling of freshness and peace. Its smell reduces tiredness and lifts the mind. Sandalwood farming is becoming popular as people’s lifestyles change. The demand for sandalwood has grown fast in recent years. It is used in cosmetics, medicines, perfumes and many other products. Because of this, farmers are earning more money.

Sandalwood farming is common in South Indian states because the climate is suitable. But now, farmers in Odisha, Rajasthan and other states are also growing sandalwood successfully and making good profit.

People often say that just 50 sandalwood trees can make you a millionaire.

In this article, we will give simple and clear information about sandalwood farming. You will learn how to grow it, what to take care of, how to get permission from the state government, and where to contact to sell your crop.

White Sandalwood Farming: Simple Guide

Sandalwood is a very holy wood in our country. People use it for tilak, perfumes, beauty products and medicines. It has many benefits in Ayurveda. A sandalwood plant becomes a tree in 12 to 15 years. One white sandalwood tree can sell for about ₹7,00,000 after 15 years.

White sandalwood grows pretty much anywhere in India, as long as the soil isn’t too acidic or too alkaline—somewhere between 6 and 8.5 pH works best. The ground shouldn’t get soggy, and forget about planting sandalwood where it snows. It doesn’t like the soil which have a plenty of sands.

If you’ve got an acre, you can fit about 400 trees, giving each one about 12 to 15 feet of space. And you don’t have to stick to just sandalwood—farmers often plant other crops in between. Just steer clear of water-hungry plants like rice or bananas.

Sandalwood does more than just make money—it helps the environment too. The Institute of Wood Science and Technology in Bengaluru points out how much we rely on wood every day. They encourage farmers to plant useful trees like sandalwood to meet demand and protect the planet at the same time.

Let’s talk money. Starting out, you’ll need around ₹1,00,000 to set up a white sandalwood farm. Plan for about ₹25,000 every year for fertilizers. After 12 to 15 years, the trees start bringing in profit. They’re pretty low-maintenance, but you need to pay close attention during the first year.

One of the best things about white sandalwood is that it can even grow on poor land—it hardly needs water. These trees reach about 18 to 25 feet tall, but they do need a support plant. Pigeon pea works great and gives you some extra income on the side.

Red or White Sandalwood — Which Is Better?

There are two main types: white and red sandalwood.

White Sandalwood (Santalum album):

  • It is the real sandalwood.
  • It has aromatic oil.
  • The oil is used in soaps and perfumes.
  • The wood is used in handicrafts and medicines.
  • It is ready to harvest in 15–20 years.

Red Sandalwood (Red Sanders):

  1. It is a different plant family.
  2. It has very low production.
  3. It has no aromatic oil.
  4. Its red wood is used for furniture, instruments and traditional medicines.
  5. It takes 50–60 years to mature.
  6. White sandalwood is more profitable than red sandalwood. That is why most farmers grow white sandalwood.