Innovative olive crop project in Rajasthan

 
Olive farming is expected to receive an impetus in India with the implementation of a pilot project involving the Rajasthan Government and an Israeli firm to cultivate on 250 hectares the plants that produce the fruits that yield the oil. "The country is taking to olive plantation for the first time…, and if it becomes a success, the Rajasthan Government is planning to extend the cultivation to about 25 million ha," Indian Olive Association president V.N. Dalmia said here. Under the project, 1,025 olive trees have been planted. The target number is 1.25 lakh. involving the Rajasthan government, a Pune firm and an Israeli firm. The Rajasthan Government is providing land and capital and the Pune firm is investing funds. The Israeli firm is providing dryland farming technology and buyback opportunities. Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have announced similar projects on over 300 ha each. Olive plants take five years to yield the first fruits and could provide good crops for up to 500 years, Mr. Dalmia said. However, good crop-years may be followed by low-yield years alternately. Olive oil consumption in India is estimated to rise over nine times in the next four years, according to Mr. Dalmia. "Olive oil consumption is pegged at 42,218 tonnes by 2012, growing at a rate of 75 per cent a year. The target for this year stands at 4,500 tonnes." Consumption has picked up by 73 per cent over the last two years. South India leads in consumption, followed by the western and northern parts. India now depends on imports for all its olive oil needs.

The Hindu, 5th August 2008