Pakistan is aggressively developing a modern, sustainable olive sector to enhance rural prosperity and significantly reduce its dependence on imported edible oils, a national strategy underscored by a Pakistani startup recently winning a silver award at a prestigious international quality competition in New York.
Addressing the 122nd Session of the Council of Members of the International Olive Council in Córdoba, Spain, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, detailed the nation”s comprehensive vision for creating a thriving olive economy, according to official information today.
He noted that the country is naturally endowed with billions of wild olive trees and has identified nearly four million hectares of land suitable for cultivation. Under the government”s National Olive Program, more than seven million olive trees have been planted over the last fifteen years. This long-term initiative has been supported by the establishment of significant infrastructure, including 51 olive oil extraction units, six fruit processing facilities, fourteen nurseries, and four olive oil quality laboratories to ensure scientific excellence.
The minister explained that the program has also focused on human capital, with thousands of women and youth receiving training across the olive value chain. These efforts have spurred entrepreneurship, leading to the launch of over ninety olive-based startups that contribute to local economic growth and value addition.
Highlighting the growing international acclaim for Pakistani products, Hussain shared that the startup ‘LO – Loralai Olives’ recently secured a Silver Award at the New York Olive Oil Quality Competition. He described the accomplishment as a testament to the dedication of the nation”s farmers, researchers, and young innovators.
To accelerate sectoral advancement, the government is strengthening a public-private partnership model. This collaboration focuses on capacity-building initiatives and providing essential pre- and post-harvest equipment to improve efficiency across the supply chain, aligning with national goals for promoting climate-resilient agriculture.
In his concluding remarks, the minister reaffirmed that Pakistan seeks to uphold the universal message of the olive tree-peace, harmony, and perseverance. He expressed appreciation for the international forum and reiterated the country”s commitment to contributing to the collective global effort for sustainable olive development.