In a significant move, the Punjab government has issued a notification to regularize the olive project, citing its impressive performance over the past five years. The project, established in 2019 at the Barani Agriculture Research Institute in Chakwal, aimed to boost olive production and conduct in-depth research.
The project’s roots date back to 2013 when research work on olives began at the institute, founded in 1991. In 2019, the provincial government launched a five-year research plan, which concluded on June 30, 2024. After submitting the final report, higher authorities deemed the project successful, paving the way for its regularization.
Dr. Ramzan Ansar, senior scientist and project director at the Barani Agriculture Research Institute Chakwal, expressed optimism about the project’s future, stating that the focus will now shift exclusively to olives, leveraging the plant’s 4,000-year history to create a profitable business. Successful olive cultivation in the Pothohar region is expected to expand, with substantial production reaching the global market, ultimately boosting Pakistan’s foreign exchange earnings.
The regularization of the olive project is a testament to the government’s commitment to promoting agriculture and economic growth in the region. As the project continues to grow and thrive, it is expected to bring numerous benefits to local communities and contribute to Pakistan’s economic development. With substantial production of olive reaching the global market, ultimately boosting Pakistan’s foreign exchange earnings.
