YERRA CHANDHANAM (RED SANDALWOOD):
Red sandalwood tree is a native to India and is mostly found in southern parts. Well-drained red soils are mainly suitable for cultivation. It is a fast growing crop. The best time for planting is onset of rainy season. Drip irrigation is recommended. During initial year of planting irrigation is given 10-15days interval and care should be taken. Spacing is 10*10 or 12*12 or 14*14 are recommended. In between the space of Red sandalwood trees, intercropping can be done as a source of present income. Yielding time of red sandalwood is more than 15years. Quality of heartwood depends upon time of harvesting (late harvesting leads to good quality). It is deep red in colour. Red sandalwood has huge demand. Farmers can get more profitable income if they invest in cultivating Red sandalwood.
Red sandalwood has medicinal and commercial value. Heartwood of Red sandalwood is used in medicines and is used in treatment of digestive track problems, fluid retention and coughs. It is used in blood purification. It is also used as flavouring agent in alcoholic beverages. Red sandalwood is used in manufacturing of furniture, woodcrafts and musical instruments. It can perfectly cure many skin problems. In Ayurvedic, Red sandalwood is used to treat eye disorders.
Price of Red sandalwood:1kg of Heartwood cost is Rs.9000 to Rs.9500.
It is blessed Telangana areas are most suitable for WHITE SANDALWOOD and RED SANDALWOOD cultivation.
Before harvesting (cutting) of White sandalwood and Red sandalwood permission should be taken from FOREST DEPARTMENT and to be certified by REVENUE DEPARTMENT. Forest department issues tenders to sell sandalwood and with forest department permission FARMERS can also sell directly to the certified buyers or to manufacturing industries like soap, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals etc.
Farmers can get short term income on pulses, vegetables, fruits etc and long -term income from sandalwood trees.
In Telangana more farmers are opting to these commercial trees, cultivating in a systematic way and becoming more successful.
Sandalwood farming is school of patience we should wait patiently to receive more money.
SANDALWOOD CULTIVATION IS THE BEST WAY FOR THE CREATION OF WEALTH. IT ULTIMATELY GIVES FARMERS MOST REAL FORM OF HAPPINESS. LET’S START CULTIVATING SANDALWOOD, EXPECTED INCOME MAY BE TOO LATE BUT SURE IN GETTING HUGE PROFITS AND BECOMING RICH.