Invested in SIPs? That’s Cute. Try a Sandalwood Tree That Pays in Crores.

Meet Keshav Shinde, a farmer from Khurshi village, whose unnoticed sandalwood tree turned him into a crorepati overnight.

In a world where investments come in the form of stocks, gold, bitcoin, crypto,home, land and what not, a humble farmer from Maharashtra just reminded us that sometimes, all you need is a single tree. Not a metaphorical family tree or the tree of hard work—a real, rooted, century-old Red Sandalwood tree, growing silently in a 7-acre farmland in Yavatmal.

Keshav Shinde, a farmer from Khurshi village in Pusad Taluka,had his ancestral land make headlines and turn him into an overnight crorepati. The reason? A single Rakta Chandan (Red Sandalwood) tree that had been part of his family farmland for generations, unnoticed, unvalued and unclaimed until fate intervened.

A Tree Worth Crores,Possible? News says YES

The story dates back to 2013-14 when a railway survey team visited the area to plan the Yavatmal-Pusad-Nanded railway line project. Accompanying them was a team of officials from Karnataka—a state familiar with the high value of Red Sandalwood. One look at the tree, and they instantly recognized its true identity and worth. What stood in one quiet corner of Shinde’s land was not just any tree, but a species so rare and valuable that it has international appeal and strict trade regulations.

Shinde was left stunned. The railway acquisition process began, and by 2018, his land was taken over by the authorities. But there was a catch: while compensation for the land itself was expected, the authorities failed to address the valuation and compensation for the Red Sandalwood tree. Despite multiple follow-ups, the tree's worth was never officially acknowledged.

A Long Legal Battle

Tired of being ignored, Keshav Shinde approached the Bombay High Court seeking justice. He even commissioned a private valuation, which put the tree's worth at a staggering Rs 4.97 crore. Still, no action was taken.

In February 2025, the High Court finally intervened and ordered the railways to deposit Rs 1 crore in the court registry until the tree’s value could be officially determined. When the case was heard again on April 9, the court was informed that the valuation was still pending. The bench, comprising Justices Avinash Gharote and Abhay Mantri, was quick to respond:

“Since the possession of the land as well as the tree has been taken by the respondent authorities long back, the petitioner would be entitled to compensation. Any delay is only increasing the costs and nothing else.”

The court then directed that Rs 50 lakh be paid immediately to Shinde, with a deadline of June 2025 for the tree's valuation to be submitted. If not done, the remaining Rs 50 lakh would also be released to the farmer.

Red Sandalwood: The Investment You Didn’t See Coming

Often referred to as the 'Tree of Gods' in Ayurveda, Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus) is native to the southern Eastern Ghats of India. It’s highly sought after for its medicinal properties, deep red hue, and aromatic wood, used in carving, cosmetics, and traditional medicines.

The government strictly regulates its trade, making it a prized but rare commodity. Illegal trafficking of Red Sandalwood has been a persistent issue, given its high global demand and the tree's slow growth rate.

But here’s the twist: You don’t need to be lucky to profit from red sandalwood. You can actually invest in it.

Yes, You Read It Right: Red Sandalwood Farmland Investment

This story has opened many eyes to the hidden potential of farmland investments. For years, people have associated farmland with seasonal crops, but nature is full of long-term wealth builders like timber, medicinal trees, and high-value species such as Red Sandalwood.

Here’s where Farmland Bazaar steps in.

As India’s only online marketplace for curated farmland investments, Farmland Bazaar connects aspiring landowners, agri-entrepreneurs, buyers and investors with farmland parcels across the country. Whether you're interested in traditional agriculture, agro-tourism or tree-based plantations, we bring together the best opportunities in one place.

And yes, that includes Red Sandalwood plantation options.

Projects like: Red Sandalwood Farm, Dhatri Sandal Farms, and Vasudha Red Sandalwood Farmland at Farmland Bazaar are a few references in this location offering red sandalwood-based opportunities, backed by expert guidance and verified documentation.
At Farmland Bazaar, we’ve seen a growing demand for sandalwood plantation investments. And for good reason:

• A red sandalwood tree takes 12-15 years to mature

• Once harvested, each mature tree can fetch anywhere from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh depending on quality and market conditions. Lucky ones can even fetch crores !!

• It is a sustainable investment with long-term wealth potential

Is It Legal to Grow Red Sandalwood?

Absolutely—provided you follow the due legal process. While red sandalwood is a protected species, it is legal to grow it on private agricultural land in many Indian states with permissions in place.

Pro Tip: If you don’t own farmland, you can still plant sandalwood in your backyard or garden. A single tree, with an investment of just ₹100, can yield ₹1.5 lakh over 15 years. Think of it as a green fixed deposit with exponential returns.

At Farmland Bazaar, we often hear stories like Keshav Shinde’s—maybe not all are in crores, but many have found hidden wealth in their soil. Many of the Red Sandalwood projects listed on Farmland Bazaar operate on a profit-sharing model, where the developer manages and maintains the farmland while the profits from the eventual harvest are shared with the investor. Some of these opportunities are also highly budget-friendly, making them accessible to a wider range of buyers looking to tap into sustainable wealth creation.

Conclusion: One Tree. One Crore. One Realisation.

Keshav Shinde’s story is more than a viral headline. It’s a reminder that land, when understood and nurtured properly, holds far more value than meets the eye. From being overlooked to becoming a crorepati overnight, his journey underscores the importance of knowing what grows on your land.

So next time you walk past a tree, maybe take a second look. It might just be your retirement plan.

And if you're wondering where to start your farmland journey—you know where to look. Visit Farmland Bazaar and explore verified, high-value plantations including opportunities for Red Sandalwood investments.

Because sometimes, all it takes is one tree.