ISLAMABAD, March 7 — The Ministry of National Food Security and Research has proposed a Rs6.6 billion nationwide initiative to establish commercial olive orchards on 40,000 acres, aiming to strengthen Pakistan’s olive value chain and expand domestic olive production.
According to an official document, the three-year project titled “Strengthening/Uplifting of Olive Value Chain in Pakistan – Phase III” is scheduled to run from July 2026 to June 2029. The programme will be implemented by the Pakistan Oilseed Development Board in coordination with federal and provincial institutions across the country.
The project will cover Islamabad Capital Territory, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, targeting areas suitable for olive cultivation.
Expansion of olive orchards
A central component of the plan is the development of cluster-based commercial olive orchards on 40,000 acres of farmer-owned and public land in selected agro-ecological zones. The initiative is designed to organize olive cultivation on a larger scale to support the growth of Pakistan’s olive industry.
To improve water efficiency and climate resilience, drip irrigation systems will be installed across 10,000 acres of olive orchards under the project.
The programme also includes the rehabilitation of approximately 300,000 wild olive trees through community-managed grafting in selected regions.
Strengthening the olive value chain
The initiative aims to promote value addition and commercialization within the olive sector. Planned pilot projects include public-private partnerships for pomace oil production, improvements in olive oil quality, modern storage systems, and the use of olive by-products such as pomace for pellet production.
The project also proposes the establishment of a national olive company or council to improve governance, regulatory oversight and coordination within the sector, with participation from private stakeholders.
Training and institutional development
Human resource development is another key element of the programme. Training will be provided across the olive value chain, covering good agricultural practices, good manufacturing practices, hazard analysis and critical control points, processing methods and marketing strategies.
The initiative will also encourage participation from women and youth involved in olive farming, processing and marketing to help develop a skilled workforce in the sector.
Monitoring and policy alignment
Among the planned deliverables are the establishment of commercial olive clusters, rehabilitation of wild olive trees, installation of drip irrigation systems and development of trained professionals in olive cultivation and processing.
A digital geospatial mapping and monitoring system will also be introduced to track olive cultivation activities and support better planning and management.
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Officials said the proposed project aligns with Pakistan’s 13th Five-Year Plan, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the National Agriculture Innovation Growth Action Plan, which emphasize agricultural productivity, exports, technological advancement and environmental sustainability.
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