Olive cultivation scheme on the cards

The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) is in the process of adopting an ambitious business model to make the organisation self-sustainable and reduce its dependency on public funding. This includes a 250-acre olive plantation, as well as the recently-opened nine-acre nursery.

The PHA has taken several measures in recent months, including the establishment of the provincial metropolis' largest government-owned commercial nursery, said a spokesperson on Sunday. This facility, covering over nine acres, accommodates a wide variety of seedlings, saplings, trees, shrubs, and other plant materials. Through this initiative, the authority aims to reduce horticulture procurement expenses, which constitute a substantial portion of its budget.

Also read: Pakistan turns to olives to reduce oil import bill

Separately, the PHA is developing a proposal for large-scale commercial olive cultivation on a 250-acre fruit garden near the airport. The sunny weather of Lahore makes it suitable for edible olive farming, which requires a warm and temperate environment. The proposal is being developed on the directives of Director General Tahir Wattoo,

The spokesperson emphasised that such a move would not only generate revenue for the PHA, but also contribute to food security and the national exchequer by reducing foreign exchange expenditure on importing edible oil.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2023.