The Ministry of National Food Security & Research (MNFS&R) has reaffirmed its strong commitment to the sustainable development of Pakistan’s olive sector through the adoption of advanced scientific approaches and strategic international collaboration. A high-level meeting on the Molecular Assessment of True-to-Type Characteristics of Olive Varieties and Olive Sector Development in Pakistan was held at the Ministry’s Secretariat in Islamabad under the chairmanship of the Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research.
The Honorable Minister congratulated all stakeholders on the successful organization of the 7th Olive Gala 2025, highlighting it as a milestone in promoting olive cultivation in Pakistan. The Minister emphasized the need for expanding olive plantations across suitable agro-climatic zones and strengthening the entire olive value chain, from nursery development to processing and marketing, to ensure long-term economic and environmental benefits.
During the meeting, it was highlighted that Pakistan has made remarkable progress in converting marginal and uncultivated lands into productive olive orchards, contributing to climate resilience, livelihood diversification, and import substitution. The Ministry is now focusing on further strengthening the olive nursery system to ensure the supply of high-quality, true-to-type olive plants for farmers.
The forum underscored the importance of molecular and DNA-based fingerprinting techniques for the verification and validation of olive varieties. Such scientific tools will ensure varietal purity, enhance confidence in nursery plants, and open new avenues for horticultural research and innovation in Pakistan. The National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology (NIGAB) confirmed its readiness and technical capacity to undertake molecular testing using state-of-the-art facilities, subject to the availability of reference parent material.
A key outcome of the meeting was the decision to deepen international scientific collaboration, particularly with Italy, a global leader in olive research and cultivation. In this regard, the Ministry announced the initiation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NIGAB and the University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy, with facilitation from CIHEAM Bari under the OliveCulture Scale-Up Project. This collaboration will enable access to internationally recognized molecular (SSR) profiles of olive varieties, provision of parent genetic material, joint research initiatives, and specialized training of Pakistani scientists and technicians.
The Italian partners have expressed their strong willingness to support Pakistan in validating olive genetic resources, strengthening the plant certification system, and characterizing both cultivated olive varieties and indigenous wild olives, including Olea europaea subspecies cuspidata. This collaboration reflects a shared vision of scientific excellence, sustainable agriculture, and long-term capacity building.
The Honorable Minister also directed that olive plantation activities be aligned with environmental and climatic conditions of different regions. As part of future-oriented planning, Tunisian olive varieties suitable for hot climates will be introduced on a pilot scale in Cholistan, accompanied by detailed climatic and agronomic studies, in coordination with international partners.
Looking ahead, the Ministry announced that Phase-III of the Promotion of Olive Cultivation on Commercial Scale in Pakistan will be formulated and submitted for approval. This phase will encompass innovative financing mechanisms, public–private partnerships, match grant schemes, carbon credit opportunities, and expanded pilot plantations to further accelerate the growth of the olive sector.
The Ministry of National Food Security & Research, under the dynamic leadership of the Honorable Minister, remains fully committed to transforming Pakistan into a competitive and sustainable olive-producing country through science-driven policies, international cooperation, and farmer-centered development initiatives.
