PESHAWAR: The Agricultural Research Institute Tarnab on Saturday organised ‘Olive Gala’ to showcase the potential of olive industry in Pakistan.

The event was organised under the auspices of the Italian-funded project “Olive culture-holistic and multi-professional mechanism for a Pakistani olive oil value chain” and “Promotion of olive cultivation on commercial scale in Pakistan (PSDP)”, according to a statement.

People from different walks of life including businessmen, farmers, youth, women, consumers and entrepreneurs attended the Olive Gala.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Ghulam Ali appreciated the progress being made in olive cultivation in the country. He stressed the need the need for disseminating information about new varieties and production technology among farmers to ensure that the country becomes self-sufficient in edible oil production.

He said that Italian experts of CIHEAM Bari were playing vital role in the development of olive crop.

The Olive Gala was also attended by representative of CIHEAM Bari, who stressed the need for enhancing the olive value chain and promoting interaction among all stakeholders along with the olive value addition.

Provincial Minister for Agriculture Abdul Haleem Qasuria lauded the efforts of Agricultural Research Institute in promotion of olive oil in the country.

He said that Pakistan was spending millions of rupees on importing edible oil. He added that promoting olive cultivation would enable the country to locally produce olive oil.

The director general of the institute welcomed the participants of the gala and talked about importance of olive oil industry in the country.

He said that the Agricultural Research Institute was doing a tremendous job in promotion of olive cultivation and production with the help and support of Italian experts. He added that they were receiving positive response from farmers.

The success of the event was a testimony of the potential of olive industry in the country. The continued growth of olive industry will contribute significantly to the national economy and promote socio-economic development, create employment opportunities and reduce poverty in the country.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2023