Sandalwood, also known as Chandan, is an evergreen tree that is grown for its fragrant oil, which is used in a variety of products ranging from perfumes, incense sticks, and cosmetic products. India has been a major producer of sandalwood for centuries and continues to be so even today. The demand for sandalwood is increasing worldwide, and this has led to an increase in sandalwood cultivation in India.
Value-added products from sandalwood have been gaining popularity in recent times. The oil extracted from sandalwood is used to make a wide range of products, including perfumes, incense sticks, soaps, and cosmetics. Sandalwood oil is also used in traditional medicines and has been found to have several therapeutic benefits. These value-added products have increased the demand for sandalwood, and this, in turn, has increased its price.
Indian sandalwood has a high demand in the world market, and this has led to an increase in sandalwood cultivation in India. The major countries importing sandalwood from India include the United States, Japan, China, and France. The demand for sandalwood is expected to increase in the future due to its growing popularity as a raw material for a variety of products.
Karnataka is one of the leading states in India in terms of sandalwood cultivation. The state has taken several measures to support sandalwood cultivation, including providing subsidies to farmers, promoting research and development activities, and setting up sandalwood oil extraction units. The state has also implemented policies to prevent illegal sandalwood felling, which has helped in conserving the species.
In conclusion, sandalwood cultivation in India has seen a significant increase in recent times due to the growing demand for value-added products and the high demand for Indian sandalwood in the world market. Karnataka has positioned itself as a major player in sandalwood cultivation, and with its supportive policies, the state is expected to continue to play a major role in the sandalwood industry in India.
