Malabar Neem (Melia)

Malabar Neem is India's fastest-growing timber species and can grow on any well-drained soil across every climate zone in the country. It needs very little water after the first year and thrives on almost any farmland with minimal care. Baba Shakti's M 11 clone is specially bred for speed, reaching up to 8 feet in height within the first two years of planting.

Around 450 trees can be planted per acre at a spacing of 3 by 3 metres. You have three flexible income choices: sell the wood as pulp at year 3, as plywood-grade timber at year 5, or wait until year 8 for furniture-grade timber that earns the highest price. Total earnings per acre can reach 10 to 15 lakh rupees depending on which option you go with.

Because Malabar Neem has a thin canopy in its early years, you can grow profitable crops like vegetables, turmeric, or ginger on the same land at the same time, giving you extra income while the plantation develops. This makes it a great choice for farmers who want faster returns alongside their regular farming, without waiting many years for a single large payout.