The government’s Budget announcement aimed at boosting sandalwood cultivation as a tree crop has generated optimism among farmers.
Officials say good demand and better prices are key incentives for sandalwood cultivation. Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal, in the Budget, outlined the government’s aim to amend existing rules to facilitate the growth of sandalwood. Besides, forest timber depots would be transformed into sandalwood collection centres, allowing individuals to harvest sandalwood trees from private land for sale to the Forest department.
M.G. Vinod Kumar, Divisional Forest Officer, Marayur Sandal Division, highlights the potential of sandalwood trees to be classified as a tree crop, ensuring a steady income and a guaranteed market for farmers. “The Vana Samrakshana Samiti under the Marayur Sandal Division produces sandal saplings annually that are sold at ₹75 per sapling,” he says.
