Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Rajasthan Builds India’s Olive Industry Through Irrigation and Processing
Rajasthan is known for growing olives in India, even though it is a hot and dry state.
Farmers began trying olive trees there around 2007.
The first harvest came in 2012.
Drip irrigation helps farmers use water more carefully.
Olive trees are now grown in several districts.
Bikaner has a facility that processes olives and extracts their oil.
India began making olive oil commercially in Rajasthan in 2013.
Other Indian regions have also explored growing olives.
India still imports a lot of olive oil because people want more than local farms produce.
Rajasthan is India’s best-known olive-growing state, despite its hot, arid climate.
Olive saplings brought from Israel were planted experimentally around 2007, and the first harvest was recorded in 2012.
Olive plantations have spread across districts including Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Jaipur and Alwar.
Commercial olive oil production in India began in Rajasthan in 2013, with a processing facility established in Bikaner.
Domestic cultivation has grown, but India still imports significant quantities of olive oil to meet demand.
- Who
- Farmers and agricultural initiatives in Rajasthan, with olive saplings initially brought from Israel.
- What
- Rajasthan developed olive cultivation and commercial olive oil production in India.
- When
- The plantation programme began around 2007; the first harvest was recorded in 2012, and commercial production began in 2013.
- Where
- Rajasthan, including Bikaner and several other districts.
- Why
- The initiative aimed to offer farmers another source of income and increase domestic olive oil production.
- State
- Rajasthan
- Plantation programme
- Began around 2007
- First harvest
- Recorded in 2012
- Commercial production
- Began in India in Rajasthan in 2013
- Processing centre
- Bikaner
- Other growing districts
- Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Jhunjhunu, Nagaur, Jalore, Jaipur and Alwar
- Water-saving method
- Drip irrigation
- Imports
- India continues to import significant quantities of olive oil