Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that the government will send 100 young agricultural graduates to Italy at its own expense for advanced training in olive cultivation, production, processing and marketing.
The announcement was made during the launch of the Pakistan National Olive Value Chain Policy, which aims to transform the country’s growing olive sector into a major source of edible oil, rural incomes and export earnings.
Speaking at the ceremony, PM Shehbaz said Pakistan spends around $4 billion annually on edible oil imports, adding that saving even $400 million through increased domestic production would be a significant achievement.
He said Pakistan could achieve self-sufficiency in edible oil within a few years if the country focused not only on cultivation but also on oil production, processing and value addition.
The prime minister thanked Italy for its support in developing Pakistan’s olive sector and said the training of young agricultural graduates would help strengthen local expertise and improve the country’s olive value chain.
He stressed that practical measures were essential for bringing an agricultural revolution and assured farmers of maximum support from the federal and provincial governments.
Italian Ambassador to Pakistan Ugo Ciarlatani said the new policy was the result of decades of cooperation between Pakistan and Italy in agriculture, education, science and trade.
He noted that more than seven million olive plants have been cultivated in Pakistan, while Italy’s Olive Culture Project has supported laboratories, nurseries, businesses and training for more than 700 stakeholders.
The ambassador also highlighted Italy’s €20 million programme to strengthen technical and vocational education in Pakistan, particularly in high-value agriculture.
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain said the government would provide disease-free seeds and introduce technology to minimise crop losses.
Officials said Pakistan also aims to export locally produced olive oil to markets across South, East and Central Asia.
The policy is expected to create new opportunities for farmers, businesses, women and young people while reducing Pakistan’s dependence on imported edible oil.
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