Commercial Olive Farming in India - Detailed Information Guide

The olive is an evergreen shrub or tree native to the areas of the Mediterranean, Africa and Asia continent. But still, India has little to do with olive cultivation. Most of the olive or olive oil was imported. The Mediterranean plant finally landed in the state of Rajasthan in 2007. Olives are one of the oldest fruits grown around the world for centuries. Olives are cultivated exclusively for oil. Around 90% of the oil is extracted from the olive fruit. Olive oil is edible and has medicinal /therapeutic properties.

Hence there is a good demand for olive and its oil in the international market. The main production of olives comes from Italy, Spain, Turkey, Egypt, Greece, Tunisia, Syria, Morocco, Tunisia and the surrounding Gulf regions. In India, olive cultivation is on the rise and in fact, it has already developed in Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The Rajasthan government announced subsidy programs for olive cultivation. India is affirmative in olive production, and the prospective future seems bright in olive cultivation.

The Procedure of Olive Farming

It is very easy and simple to start an olive farming business both on a commercial and small scale. Olive trees generally require equipment, So you will probably be able to start and operate this business efficiently with the help of the best tractor and their attachment. However, you can choose the Force tractor and many more renowned brand models. You can start an olive farming business if you live somewhere in a warm climate. Here in this guide, we describe more details about olive cultivation, from planting, propagation, and much more essential information.

1. Olive Farming - Climate Requirement

Olive cultivation needs a warm climate in subtropical conditions. You can cultivate this crop in India at an altitude of 1500 metres above sea level (mean sea level). The most prominent factor in its cultivation is "temperature". For its cultivation, the optimum temperature range of 15°C to 20°C is ideal. Prolonged dry and hot weather with a lack of water is not conducive for its cultivation due to fruit drops. The olive crop requires well-distributed rainfall of about 100 cm during its growth duration. This crop is also delicate to frost conditions.

2. Olive Farming - Soil Requirement

Farmers cultivate the olive crop in an extensive range of soils. However, it requires rich, deep and well-drained loam or clay loam soil for the optimum growth and yield. It provides good aeration for the development of roots; the soil should be about 5 feet deep, suitable for olive cultivation. The deeper soil layer than the topsoil plays a major role in olive cultivation for better plant growth. Olive trees cannot live with the stagnation of water, which damages the roots in prolonged waterlogging. Soil pH range 6 - 7.5 is ideal and also best for good quality and high yields.

3. Propagation Through Seeds

From September to October, You should collect the fruits with partial maturity (ripe). You should separate the stones from the fruit pulp by dipping them in caustic soda having 10% NaOH. Make sure you wash the stones thoroughly under running water to remove traces of chemicals. You should sow these washed stones immediately in raised nursery beds. You must keep the row to row distance 15 cm and 5 cm seed to seed distance. Farmers should irrigate and mulch the nursery beds regularly for better germination. Olive seeds begin to germinate with the onset of spring.

4. Propagation through Cuttings

This method collects 3 to 4 bale cuttings of 10 to 15 cm long pencil thickness from the parent tree. For 8 to 10 seconds, the cutting should then be treated with 500ppm NAA+3,000 ppm IBA. You should plant these cuttings in the misting chamber. You should maintain the ideal rooting temperature of 22°C to 26°C and also with 75% humidification. Roots start to emerge after 7 to 8 weeks. You should remove the root cuttings 11 to 12 weeks after planting. Farmers should keep these routings in the hardening chamber for a short period. These can then be transplanted to nursery beds. Planting time depends on the variety.

5. Irrigation in Olive Farming

Olive trees require well-distributed rainfall of about 100 cm during their growth. Irrigate plants as needed in hot and prolonged dry conditions. Irrigation is required 1 month before expected flowering. You should irrigate the olive trees after 2 weeks of flowering. One month after the fruit set, one irrigation should be given to encourage fruit development.

6. Olive Farming - Training & Pruning

Support of about 10 feet should be erected at the time of planting. In the case of a feathered tree, develop a stem to a 40 to 45 cm height above ground level and select 1 branch each on the right and left that should tie to the lowest wire. Weak laterals should remove, develop another set of scaffolds in the second and third growing seasons and repeat the process. If the weather is clear, non-bearing olive trees can be pruned at any time of the year. In the case of fruit trees, you should prune immediately after harvesting to encourage new growth. Damaged branches should move regularly, removing dead branches. Also, olive trees should be tied to the pole in such a way that it stands firm without being bitten by the stick. Soft tare yarn can be used for the first 1 or 2-year-old trees.

7. What is the Essential in Equipment?

The tractor is an indispensable aspect of olive farming. The tractor is used in every segment of agriculture. Because as a start the tillage process in agriculture, you need the tractor, and till the harvesting the plant, you need it in this farming. Therefore, a tractor has become the primary factor in farming but choosing the right one is not easy. Hence we recommend the eicher Swaraj Tractor and many more.

For more information regarding Olive farming in India, stay tuned with us.