Pakistan Expands Olive Farming Under New Plan

Pakistan's Central Development Working Party has launched an ambitious plan to significantly expand olive farming across the nation, according to a recent meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal.

The Phase-II project, part of the broader Vision 2025 initiative, aims to bring professional, results-driven strategies to the forefront in order to scale up commercial olive production throughout Pakistan. Iqbal emphasized the importance of engaging successful private-sector growers to bolster the effort.

In the initial phase of the project, olive plantations are expected to cover one million acres in Balochistan and the recently merged districts. However, the minister expressed hopes that this could expand to even greater acreage in the future.

Iqbal also highlighted the potential of the Kallar Kahar-Islamabad corridor and the wider Potohar belt as prime areas for olive cultivation expansion. He directed that these regions be factored into the project to maximize agricultural output.

The olive cultivation initiative, which was first introduced in 2014, has traditionally relied on public-sector efforts. However, according to Iqbal, stronger private-sector involvement is crucial to achieving more favorable results. The CDWP has subsequently recommended and approved several additional development projects in various sectors, including higher education, governance, IT, sports, and water management.

Nevertheless, the olive project is particularly noteworthy as a significant agricultural initiative designed to bolster commercial farming and boost Pakistan's olive production capacity.