The State-run Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd. (KSDL), which is facing a shortage of sandalwood oil essential for its flagship brand “Mysore Sandal” soap, has tied up with 670 farmers for commercial cultivation of 3,586 acres, largely in dry regions of north Karnataka, including Dharwad, Haveri, Gadag, to reduce its oil import bill. This is under the ‘grow more sandalwood’ policy.
The company will supply saplings to farmers under the principle of “share and prosper” basis. KSDL has planted 2,800 saplings in the Bengaluru and Mysuru division in the last few months.
On an average, sources said four to five kg of oil will be extracted from 100 kg of wood. Oil is largely extracted from the root stem and branches of the tree. KSDL has one root from Kerala costing ₹1.25 crore, the official said.
