Rajasthan in October 2014 became the first Indian state to start an Olive oil refinery. It is set up in Lunkaransa area in Rajasthan. The Olive oil produced in the refinery is marked under the brand name of ‘Raj Olive oil’. Rajasthan is leading in the area of olive farming.
The Vasundhara Raje government in its earlier term in 2007 had commenced the Olive cultivation project by taking assistance from Israel and had planted 1.12 lakhs saplings in 7 agro-climatic zones.
Several hectares of land in Bikaner, Nagaur, Jhunjhunu and other districts have been covered with olive plantation.
During the initial stage, Olive oil will be produced and later it would utilise the farm produce in making of cosmetics, medicines, and cattle feed.
Seven leading varieties of Barnea, Arbequina, Ctotina, Pincholine, Picual, Coraniki and Frontoy had been initially planted in the farms.
Olive is a small tree belonging to the Oleaceae family and is found in coastal areas of eastern Mediterranean ( Italy and Spain), northern Iraq and northern Iran south of the Caspian sea.