In 2017, whereas on an informal journey to Bellary in Karnataka, Dr Jogesh Choudhary discovered himself strolling by way of huge stretches of sandalwood plantations. The air carried a faint woody perfume, and the sight of hundreds of timber left him wide-eyed. 

It reminded him of childhood tales, of sandalwood’s attract, the smuggling tales, and its rarity. “I had solely heard tales of sandalwood being smuggled. Seeing it develop in such giant numbers was surreal,” he remembers.

That second lingered lengthy after he returned to his village, Bheemda in Barmer district of Rajasthan.

A senior medical officer by occupation, Jogesh couldn’t shake off the picture of these timber standing tall below the southern solar. A 12 months later, throughout one other journey to Gujarat, he met farmers efficiently cultivating sandalwood. 

An concept sparked: why not strive it within the desert?

“If sandalwood might thrive in Karnataka and Gujarat, might it not additionally take root within the desert sands of western Rajasthan?” he questioned himself.

Little did he know that this query would quickly construct his relationship with farming ceaselessly.

At this time, at his village in Barmer, the place temperatures soar previous 45°C and rainfall is a uncommon blessing, rows of younger sandalwood saplings sway gently, sheltered by guava, pomegranate, amla, and neem.

The primary try: A bitter loss

In 2021, Dr Jogesh planted 900 sandalwood saplings on his ancestral land. After gaining data from native farmers and researching on his personal, he believed the hardy desert soil would adapt to the timber. 

Inside two months, a catastrophe struck. 

“After I uprooted the vegetation, I discovered termite infestation. Termites silently invaded the younger roots, and one after the other, each sapling withered. As soon as they assault sandalwood, it’s nearly unimaginable to save lots of them,” shares Dr Jogesh.

“All 900 vegetation had died. I misplaced Rs 1.3 lakhs,” he remembers in disappointment. 

His household, already uncertain of his uncommon experiment, questioned his choice additional. Why would a practising physician, with a steady profession, threat his cash and repute in an unsure crop?

The second try

Jogesh, nonetheless, wasn’t able to give up. “If I had failed one other time, I’d have stopped. However I didn’t wish to hand over after only one strive,” he says.

Decided, he dived deep into analysis. He reached out to scientists on the Arid Forest Analysis Institute (AFRI), learn analysis papers by its director, and absorbed each element he might discover on-line. “YouTube turned my trainer,” he laughs.

However can sandalwood really be grown sustainably in Rajasthan’s desert areas? To reply this, we reached out to the director of AFRI, TS Rathore, who has spent years learning the crop.

“Sure, it’s attainable,” he affirms. “My analysis and sensible work have proven me that sandalwood can develop in Rajasthan, however solely below sure circumstances and situations. Scientific planning makes the distinction between success and failure.”

Rathore’s experience comes from over 14 years of engaged on sandalwood farming in Bengaluru, after which he moved to Jodhpur to proceed his analysis within the state’s more durable terrain.

Explaining the challenges, he says, “In pure habitats, sandalwood requires round 800 mm of rainfall. Rajasthan’s arid zones usually obtain lower than 400 mm, which makes irrigation important. With correct irrigation throughout each summer season and winter, sandalwood can survive even in areas with 400 mm rainfall, generally even 300 mm. However beneath 200 mm, with excessive warmth and water loss, survival turns into very troublesome.”

So, what makes sandalwood farming sustainable in such a harsh local weather? Rathore factors to scientific administration as the important thing. 

“Step one is creating shelterbelts to dam scorching winds, then planting sandalwood in blocks, and making certain drip irrigation. If these are managed properly, sandalwood can undoubtedly be cultivated in Rajasthan,” he provides.

A forest within the desert

By 2022, Jogesh returned to the land with renewed confidence. This time, he handled each sapling in opposition to termites and adopted a strict month-to-month remedy routine. Slowly, inexperienced shoots changed the barren soil.

At this time, Jogesh’s 20 bigha farm resembles a small forest. Round 900 sandalwood timber share area with 6,000 fruit and timber timber, guava, lemon, amla, pomegranate, figs, teak, and Malabar neem.

Not like different timber, sandalwood is a semi-root parasite. It requires host vegetation to attract vitamins. With out these, sandalwood won’t develop properly. 

Therefore, listed below are the three pillars of a profitable sandalwood cultivation:

Since sandalwood wants host vegetation, Jogesh fastidiously intercropped it with Casuarina timber and fruit timber. He additionally planted fast-growing “wind breakers” like Malabar neem, which shoot as much as 25 toes in two years, shielding delicate sandalwood from scorching winds and chilly waves.

He additionally depends on drip irrigation and a permaculture method. “Fallen leaves fertilise the soil naturally, and within the early years, I used solely cow dung. I don’t use chemical fertilisers. The farm is designed like a forest, and it sustains itself,” he says.

The persistence of a farmer, the precision of a health care provider

Jogesh’s sandalwood timber now stand 8–10 toes tall. They may take one other decade to mature, however he isn’t anxious. “It’s like elevating a toddler. The primary two years wanted utmost care, after which they develop on their very own,” he provides.

The crop has already price him round Rs 5 lakhs. “I incurred main prices in putting in a drip irrigation set-up, and a big a part of the associated fee was lined by way of authorities help. Out of the whole 610 irrigation items, I put in 230 myself, and the remaining 380 have been offered by way of subsidy,” explains Jogesh.

He informs that by way of upkeep, sandalwood doesn’t demand heavy recurring prices, however correct soil well being administration is essential. 

“One has to know the stability of nitrogen, potassium, and different vitamins to maintain the plantation wholesome. Fertilisers and soil care kind the primary a part of ongoing bills. I don’t add something externally, as dry leaves falling on the bottom are adequate to offer vitamins to the vegetation. Now, all they want is water,” he smiles.

If issues go properly, every tree, Dr Jogesh says, might yield Rs 2–4 lakhs. However he insists cash isn’t his focus. “I really feel pleased simply noticing a brand new leaf. Strolling by way of my farm takes care of my psychological well being. I’m not doing this for financial beneficial properties,” he provides.

Sandalwood is a protected species below Indian legislation. Whereas people can legally domesticate it on non-public land with out prior permission, the federal government regulates its harvesting, transit, and advertising. As said, within the Forest Areas Act, 2005, the wooden is auctioned by the state, and income are then shared with the cultivators.

“Farmers want to use for clearance earlier than felling or advertising sandalwood. That is primarily to forestall smuggling and guarantee correct monitoring. However possession stays with the grower,” says Dr Jogesh.

Classes for different farmers

Jogesh believes sandalwood farming isn’t for everybody. “It requires persistence, of 12–15 years. Routine farmers who rely solely on it might wrestle. That’s why I counsel planting sandalwood as an intercrop together with income-generating crops,” he says.

His recommendation is easy but hard-earned:

• Keep a minimal spacing of 15 toes row-to-row and 12 toes plant-to-plant.
  

• Select native host vegetation for higher survival.
  

• Shield in opposition to termites with common remedy.
  

• Assume long-term and don’t chase sandalwood only for fast income.
  

Commenting on whether or not sandalwood farming is possible for small and medium farmers from an financial standpoint, TS Rathore says, “Sandalwood may be rewarding provided that managed correctly. Hardwood formation in sandalwood begins below stress, and Rajasthan’s local weather of maximum warmth and chilly naturally gives that stress, which is nice for high quality. The oil share in younger timber (15–20 years) could also be two to 3 p.c. Because the tree matures, each oil content material and high quality enhance.”

“Market worth depends upon two issues: the share of oil and the quantity of heartwood. If the oil content material is 2 p.c, costs could also be Rs 7,000–8,000 per kg, but when it rises to 4 to 5 p.c, costs can leap to Rs 12,000. So with good host vegetation, correct spacing, and termite administration, returns may be very enticing in the long term,” he provides.

A pastime that turned a forest

For a person whose occupation revolves round saving lives inside hospital partitions, tending to timber in a desert farm could appear uncommon. However Jogesh sees no contradiction.

“My grandfather grew bajra, moong, and pulses right here. I’m utilizing the identical land, however in another way. I considered sandalwood as a long-term venture, a retirement crop,” says the 37-year-old.

“It takes 12–15 years to mature, however I’m not doing it for fast cash. It’s extra like a pastime, an experiment, about progress and persistence. This farm offers me peace after a protracted day at work. So, even when I don’t earn a single rupee, the peace I get right here is priceless,” he provides.

Edited by Vidya Gowri; all photographs courtesy: Dr Jogesh Choudhary.