Benefiting : ‘Pakistan should utilise Italy’s experience’

Planning minister seeks increase in olive cultivation through partnership

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan should take advantage of Italy’s experiences and techniques for cultivation of Olive plants in Pakistan, said Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal

Speaking at a meeting with an Italian delegation, led by Italy Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo, he discussed ways and means to enhance Olive cultivation in Pakistan

“A flagship programme will be initiated between Pakistan and Italy to enhance our Olive cultivation,” said Iqbal.

He hoped that it would promote social and economic development in Federally Administrative Tribal Areas (FATA).

Olive oil would be made available for the common people, said the minister, adding that development in the agriculture sector was an important part of ‘Vision 2025’.

It may be mentioned here that under a mega project, Olive plants would be cultivated at 50,000 acres in Pakistan till 2019.

Under the project, Olive plantation has already been completed at an area of 7,166 acres in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Federally administered  Tribal Area (FATA), and Balochistan province.

Seven olive nurseries have been established so far and 13 specialised nurseries are in the process of being established at different components.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 19^th, 2016.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.