Disclaimer

Not Financial Advice

The information, calculations, projections, and reports provided by this Platform:

• ARE educational tools based on 35+ years of scientific research and field data from the Institute of Agroforestry Farmers & Technologists
• ARE scenario-based estimates designed to help you make informed decisions
• ARE NOT financial advice, investment advice, tax advice, or legal advice
• ARE NOT recommendations to buy land, plant trees, or make specific investments
• ARE NOT guarantees of returns, yields, or profits

We are not registered with SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) or any financial regulatory authority as investment advisors. Our team provides agricultural and plantation advisory based on scientific expertise — not financial portfolio management.

Projection Limitations

Our calculations use three scenarios:

These prices reflect current market conditions (2025-2026). Over a 15-17 year investment horizon:

• Prices could be significantly HIGHER due to historical 8-12% annual appreciation and widening supply-demand gap
• Prices could also be LOWER if government policies change, synthetic alternatives improve, or large-scale private plantations increase supply
• We cannot predict future prices. Nobody can. Our tool helps you model scenarios — the decision is yours.

Risk Factors

Sandalwood investment carries significant risks including but not limited to:

1. Long Gestation Period: Heartwood harvest requires 15-17 years minimum. There is no liquid market for premature exit. Your capital is locked for the duration.
2. Biological Risk: Tree mortality from drought, floods, pests (especially sandalwood spike disease), and poor management. Survival rates of 60-85% mean 15-40% of trees may not survive to harvest.
3. Price Volatility: While historical trends show appreciation, heartwood prices are influenced by government policy, international demand, and supply dynamics that may change over 15+ years.
4. Regulatory Risk: Sandalwood cultivation and transit regulations vary by state and can change. Current rules permitting private cultivation could be modified. Transit permits are required for harvest and sale.
5. Land Title Risk: Disputed or unclear land titles are common in rural India. Thorough legal due diligence is essential before any land purchase.
6. Management Risk: Sandalwood plantations require ongoing maintenance — irrigation, host plant management, pest control, security. Neglected plantations produce significantly lower yields.
7. Theft Risk: Sandalwood's high value makes plantations targets for theft. Security infrastructure (fencing, watchmen, surveillance) is an additional cost.
8. Climate Risk: Long-term climate change may affect rainfall patterns, soil conditions, and growing zones over the 15-17 year investment horizon.
9. FEMA Restrictions (NRI Investors): Non-Resident Indians cannot directly purchase agricultural land in India under the Foreign Exchange Management Act. Alternative structures (Indian company, JV, lease, trust) have their own legal complexities and costs. Consult a qualified lawyer specializing in FEMA before proceeding.
10. No Government Guarantee: While private sandalwood cultivation is legal, there is no government insurance, buyback guarantee, or price support mechanism for private sandalwood growers.

Our Data Sources

All data on this Platform comes from:

• Institute of Agroforestry Farmers & Technologists — Crop yield databases, variety-wise data, soil-crop suitability research
• Karnataka Forest Department — Sandalwood heartwood and oil pricing, auction records, regulatory framework
• ICFRE (Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education) — Market pricing, demand-supply data
• 35+ years of field experience by Indian Sandalwood Clusters and its network of 20,000+ growers across India

We make every effort to ensure data accuracy but cannot guarantee that all information is current or error-free. Agricultural data is inherently variable — actual results on YOUR land will differ from database averages.

Your Responsibility

Before making any sandalwood investment, we strongly recommend that you:

1. Visit the land in person — Do not invest based solely on online tools or remote presentations
2. Get an independent soil test — Our soil database provides general guidance; your specific plot needs lab testing
3. Hire a qualified lawyer — For land title verification, regulatory compliance, and (for NRIs) FEMA structuring
4. Consult a Chartered Accountant — For tax implications, depreciation benefits, and financial planning
5. Speak with existing growers — Our advisory team can connect you with experienced growers in your target region
6. Start small — Consider a pilot plot before committing large capital
7. Budget for the full cycle — Plan for 15-17 years of maintenance costs, not just the initial planting

About the Platform Operator

The Sandalwood Intelligence Platform is operated by:

Agreement

By using this Platform, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Disclaimer, and you agree that:

• You will make investment decisions based on your own independent research and professional advice
• The Platform is a tool to aid your decision-making, not a substitute for professional advice
• You will not hold Grobet India Agrotech Pvt Ltd, Indian Sandalwood Clusters, or the Sandalwood Intelligence Platform liable for any investment outcomes

If you have questions about this Disclaimer, contact us at ml@feedbacknfc.com