Azeem Ahmed Khan

Farmers in the Potohar region have been urged to shift toward commercial olive cultivation, backed by new government incentives, expanded processing support, and open-access advisory services.

“The olive crop now offers returns strong enough to replace low-value staples,” Dr. Muhammad Ramzan Anser, Director of the Centre of Excellence for Olive Research and Training (CFORT) at the Barani Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Chakwal, told Wealth Pakistan.

His message to farmers is clear: “Leave everything and grow olives on a commercial scale, as this plant will transform not only your field but also your livelihood.” He said the government has invited applications for new orchards until March 15, 2026, and CFORT has kept its doors open for all growers seeking advice, by establishing a dedicated helpline and online resources.

Pakistan’s olive sector is shifting from a slow, trial-based approach to a coordinated commercial push driven by farmer subsidies, fresh research capacity, and rising private investment, Dr. Ramzan stressed. The country is moving from planting olives to securing every plant, as Punjab has launched a major support program for orchard development.

Under the initiative, farmers with at least five acres can choose certified plants directly from approved nurseries, backed by a subsidy of Rs360 per plant. Nearly Rs58,000 per acre will be provided over the project’s three-year span. This gives ownership to farmers and builds trust.

The program marks a new chapter after decades of hesitation, when olives were widely viewed as unsuitable for Pakistan. Since trials began in 1991, BARI has tested dozens of cultivars, established nurseries in the private sector, and built a domestic knowledge base that laid the groundwork for today’s expansion.

Dr. Ramzan said the sector is now built on a full value-chain model linking researchers, farmers, processors, entrepreneurs, and marketers. “More than 85 brands have emerged across the country,” he said, attributing the growth to rising public confidence, private-sector involvement, international collaborations, and long-running training programs that have engaged the youth, women, and small businesses.

CFORT has also evolved into a national advisory hub. Growers send fruit samples, request technical support, and consult online groups that respond “within 24 hours,” Dr Ramzan said. The institute converts low-yield farms into partner sites to diagnose issues ranging from pruning mistakes to farmers’ limited knowledge about good agronomic practices.

He said tapping Pakistan’s wild olive stands has become another priority. Farmers often lose grafting results because native branches regrow, but CFORT now trains them in Italian stabilization techniques and supplies certified scions at token prices.

Punjab is also preparing to expand processing capacity by offering cold-press units on a 50% subsidy, enabling farmers to extract oil close to orchards, preserve quality, and cut transport costs. The measure is essential as the plantation area rises sharply.

Credit: INP-WealthPk