Other States - Rajasthan   

MoU on olive farming in desert State signed

Special Correspondent

Farming will begin shortly in several areas, measuring a total of 210 hectares, in Rajasthan

JAIPUR: A memorandum of understanding for establishment of a company, Rajasthan Olive Cultivation Limited, for execution of a tripartite agreement with an Israeli firm for olive farming in the desert State was signed in the presence of Agriculture Minister Prabhulal Saini here on Tuesday.

The agreement was signed on November 18 last year between the State Government, Israeli firm Indolive Limited and an Indian company, Plastro Plasson Industries, to promote olive cultivation in the State. The farming will begin shortly in several agricultural farms measuring a total of 210 hectares.

The State Agricultural Marketing Board's Administrator, Vipin Chandra Sharma, Mika Harari of Indolive Limited and Satish S. Ghatpande of Plastro Plasson signed the MoU providing for an initial investment of Rs. 8 crore in olive cultivation.

The chairman of the new company will be the State Agriculture Secretary and each of the three signatories will have its Board of Directors. While the State Government and Indian company will make monetary contribution, the Israeli firm will provide technical assistance for farming.

Mr. Saini said olive cultivation would be started at an agricultural farm with proper soil, environment and water arrangement and would later be followed up in other farms. He suggested that the Durgapura farm of Rajasthan Agricultural University could be developed as a model farm for the purpose.

The Minister said a farmer-friendly technique should be evolved for olive cultivation and the technical know-how provided to satisfy the local needs. The company will initially import olive saplings for cultivation and has already invited tenders for the purpose.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

MoU on olive farming in desert State signed
VAT exemption for wheat bonus

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu