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Technical Kisanखेती, तकनीक के साथ
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Teak (Sagwan)All seasonsStump (natural seed source)Updated 23 September 2026

Nilambur Teak

A Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged natural seed source from Nilambur taluk, Malappuram district, Kerala — the world's first forest-wood product to receive a GI tag, prized internationally for straight grain, golden-brown colour and exceptional durability.

SeasonAll seasons
Maturity period20+ year rotation to full-value timber
Expected yieldVery high wood value; premium grade recognised in the international timber trade
Suitable soilDeep, well-drained loam

Quick facts

Crop
Teak (Sagwan)
Type
Stump (natural seed source)
Season
All seasons
Maturity period
20+ year rotation to full-value timber
Expected yield
Very high wood value; premium grade recognised in the international timber trade
Suitable soil
Deep, well-drained loam
Release
GI-tagged natural seed source, Malappuram district, Kerala; registered as the world's first GI-tagged forest-wood product

About this variety

Nilambur teak is timber grown from the natural teak seed sources of Nilambur taluk and neighbouring Edavanna panchayat in Malappuram district, Kerala — the tract that gave the world its first Geographical Indication (GI) tag ever granted to a forest-wood product. Nilambur is also home to some of the world's oldest managed teak plantations, dating to the early 19th century. The wood is internationally prized for its straight grain, golden-brown colour and exceptional durability, and historically supplied the teak used in the traditional sailing vessels still built at Beypore port near Calicut. Because lesser-quality teak has been passed off under the Nilambur name in the market, Kerala Agricultural University's College of Forestry has worked to protect the GI status.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeStump (natural seed source)
    Maturity20+ year rotation to full-value timber
    Yield potentialVery high wood value; premium grade recognised in the international timber trade
    Disease resistanceNot separately documented; standard teak defoliator/pink disease watch applies
    SoilDeep, well-drained loam
    SeasonAll seasons

Sowing & cultivation

  • Spacing2 × 2 m to 3 × 3 m at initial planting, thinned progressively over the rotation

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

20+ year rotation to full-value timber

Expected yield

Very high wood value; premium grade recognised in the international timber trade

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • Internationally recognised premium grade with a protected GI tag guarding against misrepresentation
  • Long track record — some of the world's oldest continuously managed teak plantations are on this seed source
  • Straight grain and golden-brown heartwood colour valued for high-end furniture and boat-building

Things to consider

  • Genuine Nilambur-sourced planting material should be confirmed with a Kerala state forest department or KAU College of Forestry-linked nursery, given past cases of lesser teak being sold under the name
  • Same 20+ year rotation and felling/transit permit requirements as any teak planting apply

Suitable regions

States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.

  • Kerala

Sourced from: Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB), Coimbatore. editorial policy.