Govt all set to make Potohar region olive valley
Experts say marginal lands could be utilised to cultivate olive without replacing other crops
PHOTO: REUTERS
SIALKOT/MULTAN:
The Punjab agriculture department has chalked out a five-year plan for making Potohar Region an Olive Valley. Under the project, the government would provide 0.20 million free olive plants to the selected farmers in Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab and other districts.
Agriculture department officials said that under the directives of the chief minister, special steps had been taken for the promotion of olive crop in the province.
Olive Valley to be set up in city
The officials added that a large number of growers were showing their keen interest in cultivation of olive crop and were contacting the agriculture department for obtaining olive plants and technical assistance regarding cultivation of the crop.
In Punjab, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Jhelum, Chakwal, Khushab and other districts were the potential areas for olive cultivation.
Agriculture experts said the prevailing environment, temperature, soil types, average rainfall and other related growth factors in Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Jhelum, Chakwal and Khushab were exactly according to the olive cultivation requirements.
The marginal lands could be utilised for olive cultivation without replacing other crops and it would also help in reducing the import bill of the country, the officials maintained.
The department was also conducting awareness and training programmes to facilitate the people by creating awareness on olive cultivation techniques and producing value added products.
Olive tree plantations completed across 3,166 acres in Potohar region
Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Muhammad Mehmood said that the province was playing an important role in ensuring food security in the country. The pro-farmer policies of the government resulted in 3.5% increase in agriculture growth. Similarly, some crops witnessed 8% increase in growth this year.
He added the incumbent government was well aware of issues afflicting the agriculture sector and prosperity of farmers was linked with improved agriculture.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2017.
The Punjab agriculture department has chalked out a five-year plan for making Potohar Region an Olive Valley. Under the project, the government would provide 0.20 million free olive plants to the selected farmers in Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab and other districts.
Agriculture department officials said that under the directives of the chief minister, special steps had been taken for the promotion of olive crop in the province.
Olive Valley to be set up in city
The officials added that a large number of growers were showing their keen interest in cultivation of olive crop and were contacting the agriculture department for obtaining olive plants and technical assistance regarding cultivation of the crop.
In Punjab, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Jhelum, Chakwal, Khushab and other districts were the potential areas for olive cultivation.
Agriculture experts said the prevailing environment, temperature, soil types, average rainfall and other related growth factors in Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Jhelum, Chakwal and Khushab were exactly according to the olive cultivation requirements.
The marginal lands could be utilised for olive cultivation without replacing other crops and it would also help in reducing the import bill of the country, the officials maintained.
The department was also conducting awareness and training programmes to facilitate the people by creating awareness on olive cultivation techniques and producing value added products.
Olive tree plantations completed across 3,166 acres in Potohar region
Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Muhammad Mehmood said that the province was playing an important role in ensuring food security in the country. The pro-farmer policies of the government resulted in 3.5% increase in agriculture growth. Similarly, some crops witnessed 8% increase in growth this year.
He added the incumbent government was well aware of issues afflicting the agriculture sector and prosperity of farmers was linked with improved agriculture.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2017.