Initially when we began to promote organic cultivation, conversion of oilseed production to organic has not been very difficult, or can be considered to be as difficult or easy as it was for any other crop, however to set up processing of oil seeds has been a real challenge. Edible oils have been a very important constituent of kitchen food basket. In India, over the years, the complete technology for processing of oil seeds has undergone major transformation. The scale of operations has become so high that it is almost impossible to fit the scale of operations for Organic. Another important factor is the refining process deployed by the industry, mostly using solvents, which are almost impossible to be sourced with organic certification. In view of these challenges, Morarka has been working hard to find solutions for each since last many years.

3.1   Oilseeds:In India, traditionally few crops were cultivated as oilseeds. Over the years, many new crops have also come up to occupy the oilseed landscape. Each type of oilseed has been cultivated in its traditionally growing areas. Also due to continuous shortages in the country massive efforts have also been made by the Government to infuse new technologies.

3.1.1 Groundnut:Morarka has few project areas in Rajasthan where Organic Groundnut is cultivated. Currently about 300 Acres is under cultivation, and is expected to go up to 1000 Acres very soon. Groundnut is also consumed as raw as well as in processed form.

3.1.2 Mustard:Morarka has few project areas in Rajasthan where Organic Mustard is cultivated. Currently about 300 Acres is under cultivation, and is expected to go up to 1000 Acres very soon. Groundnut is also consumed as raw as well as in processed form. The black mustard in some areas is cultivated as winter crop through conserved residual moisture and in some parts it is also cultivated under irrigated agriculture. A large majority of farmers in Morarka project areas cultivate black mustard in their crop rotation.

3.1.3 Sunflower:Morarka has few project areas in Maharashtra where Organic Sunflower is cultivated. Currently about 150 Acres is under cultivation, and is expected to go up to 300 Acres very soon.

3.1.4 Til (Sesame):Morarka has many project areas in Rajasthan where Organic Sesame is cultivated. Currently about 500 Acres is under cultivation, and is expected to go up to 1000 Acres very soon. Sesame is also consumed as raw as well as in processed form. Internationally sesame is also used as a spice. The black color sesame is entirely used as herb cum spice. Morarka also source this products from many of its associates in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

3.2   Edible Oils & Clarified Butter (Ghee):In India, every food has to have some edible oil or clarified butter. At Morarka every effort is being made to create processing facilities suitable for small scale of operations and in compliance with organic standards.

3.2.1 Mustard:Traditionally mustard has been cold pressed through Katchi Ghani, subsequently Expeller has been developed, which are more widely used by the industry now. In addition, the residual oil is also extracted through Solvent extraction method. At Morarka only cold pressed types of oils are produced in reasonably large quantities.

3.2.2 Groundnut:Presently Groundnut oil is being processed through Expellers. Both single and double filtered oils are available.

3.2.3  Sunflower:In view of shelf life constraints for cold pressed sunflower oil, very small quantities are processed regularly through expeller.

3.2.4 Clarified Butter:Most homes in India consume Clarified Butter, popularly also known as Ghee. At Morarka farmers having integration of agriculture & animal husbandry in Rajasthan have been motivated to increase their milk production, so that a portion can be converted in to Ghee. Now some commercial dairy farms are also being supported to produce organic milk, for increasing the supply of Ghee.

3.3   Tea:It is mainly cultivated in Northeast and South India. Morarka presently do not have any organic project of its own. Most of the Tea offered is presently sourced from Associates. Very small quantities are being sourced only for retail, however for any large requirements, we can coordinate the supply.

3.3.1 Green Tea:This is a high end tea, sourced from Tea Gardens in Arunachal Pradesh.

3.3.2 Orthodox Tea: This is also a high end Tea, also sourced from Tea Gardens in Arunachal Pradesh.

3.3.3 CTC Tea: This is regular quality Tea, mostly consumed on everyday basis. This Tea is currently sourced from many Associates in Northeast as well as from Tea Gardens in South India.


3.4 Milk Products:In the promotion of organic farming, while animal husbandry has been an integral part of farm level operations, the value chain management of milk has not been simple. In the first place, the scale of operations has not been enough to suit the available size of equipments. Generally under conventional milk value chain management, the scale of operations have grown so large that for small size and scale of operations, the modern processing technology and equipments are just not available. The traditional methods of processing do not qualify for quality certification. We are therefore faced with the big challenge to establish the processing facilities, despite having sufficiently large volume of organic Milk production at farm level in many of our project areas.

As on today, the adulteration in fresh milk has become a big consumer concern in the market. Since last few months, attempts are being made to first sale fresh milk. Also decentralized production of Clarified Butter (Ghee) has also been established. Regularly large quantities are being processed. Efforts have also been made to distinguish the milk value chain for milk from Cow and Buffalow.