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An Olive Oil Experiment in India

Olive oil is well known for its health properties and extensively used for cooking in the
Mediterranean countries. In India, it is mainly used in massage, facials and other beauty
treatments. The use of olive oil as a cooking medium is not widely prevalent and
restricted to the miniscule minority of the affluent classes who can afford the exorbitant
price of the imported commodity. India ranks fourth in consumption of vegetable oil in
the world and is a leading importer of this produce. Edible oil imports to the country are
around 5.4 million tonnes making India third in total imports of edible oil in the global
economy.
Indias Health Issues
The popularity of olive oil is growing, though again confined to the affluent middle class
and it has gone up from 2300 tonnes in 2007 to 4500 tonnes in 2008. By 2012, there is a
projected increase to 42,000 tonnes, which would be fueled mainly by the widespread
concern about cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other health problems. CVD is now the
leading cause of death in India and the risk factors are also on the rise. India is now the
diabetes capital of the world and CVD is also poised to be a serious health concern in the
near future. The count of hypertensive individuals is expected to rise from 118 million
in 2000 to 214 million in 2025. CVD strikes early and kills people in their productive
mid-life years. The World Health Organization estimates that India would lose US$ 237
billion due to heart disease, stroke and diabetes in the next 7 years.
The Importance of Olive Oil
These alarming projections make the consumption of olive oil all the more important and
the key focus should be on availability and price. The high price of imported olive oil
makes it inaccessible to the majority of the population and local cultivation is one way to
bring the prices down to an affordable level.
Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, antioxidants and vitamin E and is claimed to
have a significant effect on cholesterol. Using olive oil as a cooking medium can lower
blood pressure and prevent risk of heart attacks. There are numerous other benefits of
olive oil making it a vital addition in a healthy diet and Indias CVD and diabetes issues
can certainly be mitigated with this heart-healthy cooking medium.
Olive Oil Cultivation
Olive oil cultivation has now spread to many new places in the world including India. It
is now prevalent in Australia, Croatia and Chile. Spain continues to be the leading
producer with Italy second. With the advances in technology, mechanical harvesting and
other devices have reduced labor and made it more cost-efficient.

Rajasthan

In India, Rajasthan is the location for the first experiment in olive cultivation. The
company Rajasthan Olive Cultivation Ltd (ROCL) is a 3-way collaboration between the
Rajasthan State Agriculture Board, Plastro Plasson of Pune and Indolive Ltd, all of which
have equal shares. Plastro Plasson Industries (India) Ltd is a joint venture between
Finolex Ltd of India and two Israeli companies and deals in micro-irrigation, while
Indolive is an Israeli company which is partially funded by the Israeli government, which
promotes techniques in agriculture.
Lior Weintraub, a spokesman for the Israel embassy has said, A project such as this,
where a new kind of tree is being introduced in a water-scarce environment, hinges on the
irrigation system used. So the olive project is as much about drip irrigation as it is about
transforming Rajasthan into a major olive grower. The main reason the project was
considered for Rajasthan was the similarities in climate and cultivation problems in the
state and Israel. However, there are major differences in soil and other factors which will
have to be addressed.
The Process
An agreement was signed between Israel and the Rajasthan state government in 2006 and
the deal was finalized and a joint venture agreement was signed in 2007. A 30-hectare
field in the small village of Basbisna some 160 km from the capital Jaipur, is the location
for this experiment. The field tests had shown which variety could adapt itself best to the
climate and soil of this region. A 3-year agricultural plan will introduce many crops from
the Middle East and the Mediterranean to India and it is hoped that the country would be
an exporter of olive oil by the year 2011.
Saplings of high-yielding olives just an inch in size were brought from Israel, grown to a
height of 1.5 meters in nurseries and then transplanted to the fields here. The plants will
be irrigated with the latest in drip irrigation technology, where the roots are watered
directly and nutrients added along with it. This method saves 40% more water than the

older method and has been the reason behind the high yield of 2.8 tonnes of olive per
hectare in Israel, which they hope to duplicate in Rajasthan.
Israels Involvement

Apart from the plants and the joint venture agreement with the
Rajasthan government, Israel has been involved in every step of the interesting
experiment. The drip irrigation technology and other water recycling techniques have
ushered in the greening of the Negev desert region, regarded as an agricultural miracle.
Indolive one of the stakeholders in ROCL is a company which has successfully cultivated
olives in southern Israel. Two companies from Israel, which specialize in the latest drip
irrigation technology, are also part of Plastro Plasson Industries (India) Ltd, which is
another stakeholder in ROCL.
Out of an initial investment of Rs 60 million (about US$1.3 million) likely to be made on
the project, the Israeli company is contributing Rs 15 million (about US$325,000), with
the Agriculture Marketing Board putting in another 15 million and the remaining Rs 30
million (US$750,000) borrowed from Indian banks.
Gideon Peleg is the Israeli technical manager, who is overseeing the entire pilot project
and Indolive has already pre-bought the harvest to be cultivated in the project.
The Future
The Rajasthan government is trying hard to get local farmers interested in olive
cultivation. They are being informed about olive oil and its demand both in India and
overseas. The low cost and the positive feedback have excited the farmers in the region.
The olive trees have been planted in rows which are 7 meters apart, to enable groundnut
cultivation in the land between the rows. This would help the farmers to start earning
even before the olive trees begin to bear fruit. Olive trees take 3 and a half years to bear
fruit and then they keep producing them for more than 500 years. The farmers in
Basbisna and 6 other places where the pilot project has been initiated are now waiting for
the trees to bear fruit, to see and sell their first olives.
As mentioned, the olives have already been bought by an Israeli firm, which is also
setting up an oil pressing plant and is planning to sell the olive oil overseas. All
stakeholders are also expecting a rise in domestic demand for olive oil with growing
health concerns. This projected growth is a source of great hope to the hard-working
local farmers and the ROCL.

There are however several challenges to be faced in this fledgling attempt to grow olives
in Indian soil. In the Israeli desert, temperatures reach a high of 40 degrees Celsius,
whereas in Rajasthan it can go up to 49 degrees. The searing heat is aggravated by strong,
sultry winds, which can singe the delicate olive trees and destroy them. In the 7 olive
plantations however, great pains have been taken to protect the trees from the strong
winds. Special bamboo supports have been built for the trees together with sensors to
monitor the health of each plant. The trees have also been planted on undulating land,
which are encircled by tropical, evergreen forests, which would ensure additional
protection from the heat and wind.
Everything is now in place for the project to succeed, according to Gideon Peleg, the
Israeli technical manager.

Dear vny2kor,
To my knowledge all the experiments all the experiments with olive cultivation in India
have turn out to be failures. I still haven't understood why maybe it was a poor choice of
cultivars, or maybe it is just that olive tree doesn't adapt to the indian climate (which i
would find strange since where talking about a sub-continent, more likely is that in still
hasn't been found a place where it can grow).
Olive tree comes from the Mediterranean region, it a domesticated version of Oleastro, a
tree that is very important in the Mediterranean flora. In the mediterranean we have
relatively cold winter and hot dry summers. The rain is mainly concentrated in the cold
season. In india, where you have a tropical climate (that can be defined by rain during the
hot season), it might struggle to adapt.
One crucial success factor for the olive tree in a new climate is:
*does it get enough cold hours (i.e. hours with a temperature bellow 7c) during its
vegetative growth stop? If i had to plant olive trees in india i would chose a place a few
hundred meters above sea level in order to assure that i would get these cold
temperatures.
I do not believe it is not viable in india, but one must give careful consideration to climate
of the region where you're going to plant and to the mix of cultivars you're going to use.
There has been several successful experiments with olive tree in places where you clearly
have a tropical climate, places like Brazil, Angola, Uruguay and Argentina.
Answering Mr rajeevpal question on propagation, olive trees must be propagated by
cuttings. This is a very important issue.

Need Information on Olive Oil Cultivation in Andhrapradesh


Dear Sir,
We Are Ravindrabau/Siva Prasad from Andhrapradesh.
Recently we got some information on Olive Oil cultivation. Still we have some doubts on that can you please
clarify. We got your mail id from Internet.
1) What are the Preliminary & Preoperative steps for cultivating Olive Oil?
2) What is the Remunerative Life of Olive plant?
3) How much Cost required for cultivation Olive Oil plants in 1 acre?
4) Type of irrigation for Olive Oil?
5) Suitable soil (Black and Red) for cultivating Olive Oil plants?
6) From where we will get Olive Oil Seeds or Plants?
7) Is there any buyback facility? If it is there any guaranty is available?
8) How much we need pay for each plant?
9) What type of maintenance is required for every year?
10) Does Olive trees cultivation is depends on rains or else we need to give water supply (especially in
summer)?
Could you please provide your contact Address and telephone numbers?
It would be helpful for meet you people.
Awaiting for your positive reply.
Thanks & Regards,
N Ravindrabau, MS Prasad

[Dec 9, 2008 11:28:09 AM]


baramati
Re: Need Information on Olive Oil Cultivation in Andhrapradesh

Certifed Expert
Baramati, Pune Dist
Maharashtra
India

In India, olive cultivation has been undertaken on a limited scale in


north Sub-Himalayan region comprising Jammu and Kashmir,
Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. We are posting here available
information about this crop.
Climate and Soil requirement :

Normally olive is grown in warm, temperate to subtropical climate.


It can be grown up to 8001,400m above mean sea-level.
Temperature is most important factor influencing its cultivation.
Olive cultivars require 735C, however 1520C is ideal.

Joined: Dec 1, 2003


Posts: 14141
Status: Offline

Occurrence of prolonged hot and dry summers coupled with acute


water stress cause post-anthesis flower and fruit drop. Adequate
chilling at 720C during winter is essential to break rest period
and to promote fruitfulness. Olive tress are not irrigated but they
require 950mm water during their entire growing season. A welldistributed rainfall is conducive for growth of trees. Lack of
adequate soil moisture due to prolonged drought during summers
causes fruit drop.

Expert Name: Mr.S.V.Potekar


Phone Number: 02112-255207
Occurring of hailstorms at pre-bloom, bloom and post-bloom period
begin_of_the_skype_highlighting
02112- causes higher abscission of flowers and young fruits.
255207
end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Although olive grows well in a wide variety of soils, it requires
deep, fertile and well-drained soil for optimum growth and
productivity. Loam and silt clay loam soils are well-suited for its
cultivation.
Poor or calcareous soils are not suited for its cultivation. Soils 46
feet deep are well-suited. The soil should be well-drained to permit
good aeration and extensive root development. The sub-soil is,
therefore, more important than upper layer of soil in ensuring better
growth and productivity of its trees.
On the contrary, olive trees do not tolerate wet soils for a prolonged
period, since it results in eventual death of its roots. Soil pH of 6.5
7.5 is ideal. However a pH exceeding 8.5 adversely affects its
growth and productivity.
Irrigation :
Mature olive trees require 950mm water during MarchSeptember.
Although its trees are seldom irrigated, deficit irrigation practices
cause a marked reduction in fruit quality and yield. It is, therefore,
imperative to maintain optimum levels of soil moisture throughout
the growing season which in turn ensures adequate tree growth and
economical yield.
The time of irrigation should coincide with the period of water
stress in the area. The olive trees have certain critical periods when
adequate supply of water is needed to keep equilibrium between
growth and productivity of trees.

It is necessary to apply one irrigation 4 weeks prior to the expected


time of flowering. This ensures adequate development of flower and
lowers down flower bud/flower abscission. The trees should be
irrigated after 2 weeks of their peak blooming period. This improves
the fruit set.
One irrigation a month after fruit set stimulates development of
young fruits, and reduces their drop.

[Above information is based on recommendations from National Agriculture


Research System. The Effectiveness of the recommendations varies from place to
place with changes in natural resource and climate. Farmers are advised to use
the information on their own responsibility. KVK Baramati shall not be
responsible for any consequences.]

---------------------------------------[Edit 1 times, last edit by baramati at Dec 10, 2008 3:41:40 PM]
[Dec 10, 2008 3:38:45 PM]

Weather Info

shared_3
Re: Need Information on Olive Oil Cultivation in Andhrapradesh

Member
dsfsdf
Andhra Pradesh
India

hi my name is shashidhar.i am interested in knowing more info about olive cultivation.can


you mail me at shashidhar.work@gmail.com so that we can share more info.

Joined: May 10, 2009 [May 10, 2009 3:36:27 AM]


Posts: 2
Status: Offline
baramati
Re: Need Information on Olive Oil Cultivation in Andhrapradesh

Certifed Expert
Baramati, Pune Dist
Maharashtra
India

For more information regarding olive cultivation you may check the
attached file.

[Above information is based on recommendations from National Agriculture


Research System. The Effectiveness of the recommendations varies from place to
place with changes in natural resource and climate. Farmers are advised to use
the information on their own responsibility. KVK Baramati shall not be
responsible for any consequences.]

---------------------------------------Olive.doc (49152 bytes) (Download Count: 184)

---------------------------------------[Edit 1 times, last edit by baramati at May 11, 2009 2:20:54 PM]

Joined: Dec 1, 2003


Posts: 14141
Status: Offline

[May 11, 2009 2:19:14 PM]

Weather Info

Expert Name: Mr.S.V.Potekar


Phone Number: 02112-255207
begin_of_the_skype_highlighting
02112255207
end_of_the_skype_highlighting
d Information on Olive Oil Cultivation in Andhrapradesh
Dear Sir,
We Are Ravindrabau/Siva Prasad from Andhrapradesh.
Recently we got some information on Olive Oil cultivation. Still we have some doubts
on that can you please clarify. We got your mail id from Internet.
1) What are the Preliminary & Preoperative steps for cultivating Olive Oil?
2) What is the Remunerative Life of Olive plant?
3) How much Cost required for cultivation Olive Oil plants in 1 acre?
4) Type of irrigation for Olive Oil?
5) Suitable soil (Black and Red) for cultivating Olive Oil plants?
6) From where we will get Olive Oil Seeds or Plants?
7) Is there any buyback facility? If it is there any guaranty is available?
8) How much we need pay for each plant?
9) What type of maintenance is required for every year?
10) Does Olive trees cultivation is depends on rains or else we need to give
water supply (especially in summer)?
Could you please provide your contact Address and telephone numbers?
It would be helpful for meet you people.
Awaiting for your positive reply.

Thanks & Regards,


N Ravindrabau, MS Prasad
Re: Need Information on Olive Oil Cultivation in Andhrapradesh

In India, olive cultivation has been undertaken on a limited scale in north Sub-Himalayan
region comprising Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. We are
posting here available information about this crop.
Climate and Soil requirement :
Normally olive is grown in warm, temperate to subtropical climate. It can be grown up to
8001,400m above mean sea-level. Temperature is most important factor influencing its
cultivation. Olive cultivars require 735C, however 1520C is ideal.
Occurrence of prolonged hot and dry summers coupled with acute water stress cause
post-anthesis flower and fruit drop. Adequate chilling at 720C during winter is
essential to break rest period and to promote fruitfulness. Olive tress are not irrigated but
they require 950mm water during their entire growing season. A well-distributed rainfall
is conducive for growth of trees. Lack of adequate soil moisture due to prolonged drought
during summers causes fruit drop.
Occurring of hailstorms at pre-bloom, bloom and post-bloom period causes higher
abscission of flowers and young fruits.
Although olive grows well in a wide variety of soils, it requires deep, fertile and welldrained soil for optimum growth and productivity. Loam and silt clay loam soils are wellsuited for its cultivation.
Poor or calcareous soils are not suited for its cultivation. Soils 46 feet deep are wellsuited. The soil should be well-drained to permit good aeration and extensive root
development. The sub-soil is, therefore, more important than upper layer of soil in
ensuring better growth and productivity of its trees.
On the contrary, olive trees do not tolerate wet soils for a prolonged period, since it
results in eventual death of its roots. Soil pH of 6.57.5 is ideal. However a pH exceeding
8.5 adversely affects its growth and productivity.
Irrigation :
Mature olive trees require 950mm water during MarchSeptember. Although its trees are
seldom irrigated, deficit irrigation practices cause a marked reduction in fruit quality and
yield. It is, therefore, imperative to maintain optimum levels of soil moisture throughout
the growing season which in turn ensures adequate tree growth and economical yield.
The time of irrigation should coincide with the period of water stress in the area. The
olive trees have certain critical periods when adequate supply of water is needed to keep
equilibrium between growth and productivity of trees.

It is necessary to apply one irrigation 4 weeks prior to the expected time of flowering.
This ensures adequate development of flower and lowers down flower bud/flower
abscission. The trees should be irrigated after 2 weeks of their peak blooming period.
This improves the fruit set.
One irrigation a month after fruit set stimulates development of young fruits, and reduces
their drop.

[Above information is based on recommendations from National Agriculture Research System. The
Effectiveness of the recommendations varies from place to place with changes in natural resource and
climate. Farmers are advised to use the information on their own responsibility. KVK Baramati shall not be
responsible for any consequences.]

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