Parc sets target: Promoting olive cultivation

ISLAMABAD:

As many as 50,000 acres of land would be brought under olive cultivation across the country during the next five years, said Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (Parc) Chairman Dr Iftikhar Ahmad.

Addressing participants of the Parc Planning Meeting, he informed that the target this year has been set for planting olive saplings over 8,000 acres.

He said olive plants and processing facilities would be provided to farmers to promote the culture and reduce dependence on imports.

He also emphasised on developing and strengthening specialised nurseries to produce indigenous olive plants at a mega scale to meet farmers’ demand and plantation targets. “Mother olive orchards will be established at the National Agricultural Research Centre with 60 different olive cultivars for provision of true type propagation material to develop indigenous plants.

“Private sector is encouraged to promote olive value-added products,” he said. 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2015.

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