The Punjab government has launched an initiative to plant 50 million olive trees over 10 million acres by 2026. Currently, Pakistan has around five million olive trees, along with many wild ones, and regions like Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Punjab provide optimal conditions for growth.
Azeem Tariq, Director of the Olive Growing Project, highlighted that expanding olive cultivation could significantly reduce Pakistan’s $4.5 billion annual edible oil import bill. The project is also expected to promote health benefits and increase demand due to the crop’s religious significance. In partnership with Italy, Spain, and China, the government aims to enhance olive production, foster self-sufficiency, create jobs, and stimulate economic development.
