The Nagaland Government is exploring the potential for commercial cultivation of Sandalwood and Red Sanders in the State in collaboration with scientists from the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), with an initial assessment indicating encouraging prospects for Sandalwood, particularly in the foothill areas.
A coordination meeting with scientists from various ICFRE institutes was held at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima, on Wednesday, chaired by Principal Secretary and Development Commissioner Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS.
The scientific team, comprising experts from ICFRE-Institute of Wood Science and Technology (IWST), Bengaluru, ICFRE-Institute of Forest Biodiversity (IFB) and ICFRE-Rain Forest Research Institute (RFRI), Jorhat, had conducted field visits to different parts of Nagaland on November 10 to assess the growth of the two tree species, heartwood development in mature trees and the suitability of the State’s soil and climatic conditions.
During the meeting, Dr Swapnendu Pattanaik, Director, IFB; Dr BN Diwakara, Scientist-F, IWST, Bengaluru; Dr Satyam Bordoloi, Scientist-E, RFRI; and Dr Rakesh Kumar Prajapat, Scientist, RFRI, presented their field observations and technical assessments on the cultivation potential of Sandalwood and Red Sanders in different parts of the State.
The scientists observed that the foothill areas of Nagaland, with favourable moisture conditions and fertile soil, offered encouraging prospects for Sandalwood cultivation. They also reported satisfactory heartwood development in mature trees, indicating potential for commercial cultivation.
Scientific findings from adjoining areas of Diphu were also presented in support of the assessment.
However, the experts emphasised that successful Sandalwood cultivation would require adherence to scientific practices, including the use of quality planting materials, appropriate spacing and selection of suitable host plants. Since Sandalwood is a semi-parasitic tree that depends on host plants for its growth and survival, proper host management would be essential for plantation success.
Considering its relatively long gestation period, the scientists recommended that farmers consider cultivating Sandalwood on land that is unsuitable for other commercial crops, so that productive agricultural land is not unnecessarily diverted to a long-term plantation.
The assessment of Red Sanders, however, was less encouraging. Although the trees showed impressive physical growth under Nagaland’s climatic conditions, heartwood development remained slow and had not attained the quality required for commercial purposes.
The scientists, therefore, advised the department to exercise caution before recommending Red Sanders cultivation to farmers and called for further technical studies to establish its commercial viability under local conditions.
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Based on the findings, Sema directed officials of the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to organise training and awareness programmes to educate farmers on scientific Sandalwood cultivation. He also called for the development of appropriate schemes and the formulation of a long-term policy to regulate and promote its cultivation and trade in the State.
Highlighting the economic potential of Sandalwood alongside other commercial crops such as coffee, rubber, agarwood and teak, Sema said commercial tree cultivation could generate employment opportunities in rural areas and contribute to strengthening Nagaland’s economy.
He stressed that farmers needed to understand the scientific requirements of cultivating long-gestation plantation crops such as Sandalwood and Red Sanders before committing their limited land resources. He urged them to follow the recommended package of practices and technical guidance provided by scientific institutions and the department to ensure that plantations remained both ecologically sustainable and economically viable.
Cautioning farmers against exaggerated claims and false promises made by commercial nurseries, Sema underscored the importance of procuring quality planting materials and relying on scientifically validated information before investing in commercial plantations.
The collaboration with ICFRE is expected to provide the State with a scientific basis for identifying suitable areas, developing cultivation practices and assessing the long-term commercial prospects of these valuable tree species.
