By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has launched the Pakistan National Olive Value Chain Policy, aimed at turning the country’s olive potential into prosperity.
Addressing the launching ceremony, he said Pakistan imports edible oil worth four billion dollars annually. He said it will be a great achievement if the country can save four hundred million dollars in a single year by enhancing domestic edible oil production.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that Pakistan can become self-sufficient in edible oil within a few years.
He also thanked the Italian Government for its cooperation in promoting olive cultivation and production in Pakistan. He said the country now needs to focus more on oil production, processing and value addition.
Shehbaz Sharif said the Government of Pakistan, at its own expense, can send 100 young agricultural graduates to Italy for acquiring knowledge in various aspects of olive cultivation, production, processing and marketing.
Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Italian Ambassador to Pakistan Ugo Ciarlatani said Italy and Pakistan enjoy a longstanding partnership spanning more than seven decades, with cooperation now covering agriculture, science, education, trade and security.
He said the National Olive Value Chain Policy reflects years of cooperation, including the 100-million-dollar Pakistan-Italy Debt Swap Programme, which helped establish olive orchards across the country.
The Ambassador said Pakistan now has more than seven million olive plants, while Italy’s Olive Culture Project has supported laboratories, nurseries, business groups and training for more than 700 stakeholders.
He said Italy is also supporting Pakistan’s technical and vocational education through a 20-million-euro capacity-building programme focusing on high-value agriculture, including olive cultivation and production.
He expressed hope that the new policy would transform Pakistan’s olive sector into a thriving agro-industry, benefiting farmers, women and youth, while further strengthening Italy-Pakistan relations.
