Pakistan and Italy Strengthen Cooperation to Boost Olive Sector
Pakistan and Italy have agreed to collaborate on enhancing Pakistan’s olive sector through the OliveCulture Scale-up project, which aims to scale up the olive value chain and promote climate-resilient rural development. This decision was made during the first Steering Committee meeting for the project, held at the Ministry of National Food Security & Research.
The meeting, chaired by Ali Tahir, Federal Secretary of the Ministry of National Food Security & Research, and co-chaired by Marilina Armellin, the Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan, marked a significant step forward in strategic discussions focused on the development of Pakistan’s olive industry.
During the meeting, the Italian Ambassador praised the OliveCulture project as a symbol of strong cooperation between the two governments, highlighting the initiative’s role in promoting a sustainable and greener Pakistan. She also acknowledged the contributions of CIHEAM Bari and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in advancing olive cultivation and fostering economic growth in rural areas of Pakistan.
Tahir expressed his deep gratitude for the Italian government’s support, emphasizing his personal commitment to the Olive Revolution since 2012. He highlighted the significant impact of the project on rural livelihoods and Pakistan’s economy, and assured that the second phase of the initiative would build upon these successes.
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Francesco Zatta, Head of Office at AICS in Islamabad, commended the strong partnership between the Pakistani and Italian governments and expressed confidence that the upcoming phase would yield even greater results in terms of olive production and oil quality.
Biagio Di Terlizzi, Deputy Director of CIHEAM Bari, highlighted the importance of collaboration with Pakistan’s agricultural institutions, noting the project’s role in enhancing the country’s resilience to climate challenges.
Finally, Dr. Costantino Parma presented the General and Annual Work Plans, including financial strategies, all aimed at advancing the growth and sustainability of the olive sector in Pakistan.
