A meeting on Olive Culture Holistic and Multi-Professional Mechanism for a Pakistani Olive Oil Value Chain project was held in Islamabad today (Tuesday), co-chaired by Secretary National Food Security and Research Zafar Hasan and Italian Ambassador Andreas Ferrarese.

The project, funded by the Italian Government, started in March this year with an aim of building a multi-professional olive and olive oil value chain in Pakistan to enhance olive production and improve food security through technical assistance and training of the stakeholders.

Government of Pakistan and Government of Italy are jointly executing the project with the total cost of 1.5 million euros.

Speaking on the occasion, the Italian Ambassador said Pakistan has a huge potential for olives and his country will continue to support Pakistan in olive production.

While apprising the forum on the progress of the project, Project Director Marco Marchetti said project is taking rural communities on-board in order to streamline the Pakistani olive oil value chain. He said international experts for training and technical assistance have been engaged as well to get the best outcomes.

Presenting the next year's plan, Marco Marchetti said the upcoming phase will focus on the capacity building of the farmers and the provincial agriculture departments.

Secretary National Food Security and Research Zafar Hasan said the project is cultivable waste land in all provinces and autonomous regions of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan will be brought under olive cultivation.