The country’s first olive refinery was inaugurated by chief minister Vasundhara Raje at Lunkaransar in Bikaner. Oil produced in the facility will be marketed under the name of ‘Raj Olive Oil’.
The refinery, set up at a cost of Rs.3.75 crore, is based on Israeli technology. While commissioning the plant Raje said, “It is a great achievement for Rajasthan that we have become the first state in the country to have an olive refinery. We are leading in olive farming and now the crop will used most optimally.” Raje in her previous tenure had commenced the olive cultivation project by taking assistance from Israel and had planted 1.12 lakh saplings in seven agro-climatic zones. At present, Nagaur, Sriganganagar, Alwar and Bikaner contributes to olive farming, covering areas of about 282 hectares. Government is planning to increase it up to 5,000 hectares. Rajasthan government is eyeing to meet all the domestic demand from the refinery in coming days.
There is lot of demand of for olive oil. It is very useful for heart patients and has benefits in diabetes too. But unfortunately, we have to import this oil, making it costly for the consumers,” said an official. In the initial stage, olive oil will be produced and later we will utilise the farm produce in making of cosmetics, medicines and cattle feed. Raje vowed to provide all necessary support to the refinery and resolve issue of water scarcity in the area so that farming can be done properly.
Agriculture minister, Prabhu Lal Saini said that the current produce of olive fruit is 80 ton annually, which will be increased so that the state can fulfill the demand for olive oil in the country.
“The project of olive farming has been very successful and gave encouraging results with fine quality content in fruit. The state is now at the international level in olive farming,” said Saini.
The refinery, set up at a cost of Rs.3.75 crore, is based on Israeli technology. While commissioning the plant Raje said, “It is a great achievement for Rajasthan that we have become the first state in the country to have an olive refinery. We are leading in olive farming and now the crop will used most optimally.” Raje in her previous tenure had commenced the olive cultivation project by taking assistance from Israel and had planted 1.12 lakh saplings in seven agro-climatic zones. At present, Nagaur, Sriganganagar, Alwar and Bikaner contributes to olive farming, covering areas of about 282 hectares. Government is planning to increase it up to 5,000 hectares. Rajasthan government is eyeing to meet all the domestic demand from the refinery in coming days.
There is lot of demand of for olive oil. It is very useful for heart patients and has benefits in diabetes too. But unfortunately, we have to import this oil, making it costly for the consumers,” said an official. In the initial stage, olive oil will be produced and later we will utilise the farm produce in making of cosmetics, medicines and cattle feed. Raje vowed to provide all necessary support to the refinery and resolve issue of water scarcity in the area so that farming can be done properly.
Agriculture minister, Prabhu Lal Saini said that the current produce of olive fruit is 80 ton annually, which will be increased so that the state can fulfill the demand for olive oil in the country.
“The project of olive farming has been very successful and gave encouraging results with fine quality content in fruit. The state is now at the international level in olive farming,” said Saini.
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