One hundred fresh agricultural graduates will head to Italy this fall for hands‑on olive‑production training, the government announced.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif revealed on Wednesday that a specially curated cohort of recent graduates from Pakistan’s agricultural universities will be funded to attend an intensive, three‑month programme in the Emilia‑Romagna region, a global hub for olive cultivation. The selection process, overseen by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, will prioritize candidates with strong academic records and a demonstrated interest in horticulture, ensuring that the trainees can immediately apply the skills they acquire to local orchards.
Olive farming has long been a niche activity in Pakistan, largely confined to limited pockets in Balochistan and the northern Punjab. Despite the country’s suitable Mediterranean‑type climate in several districts, production remains under 30,000 tonnes annually, far below the potential estimated by the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council. Low yields, outdated pruning methods, and limited access to modern processing facilities have hindered growth, leaving a sizable export opportunity untapped.
The Italian partnership offers exposure to cutting‑edge agronomic practices, mechanised harvesting, and sustainable irrigation techniques that have propelled Italy to become the world’s second‑largest olive oil producer. Participants will also visit cooperative processing units to understand quality control, certification standards, and market‑grade packaging—knowledge that can be directly transferred to Pakistan’s emerging olive processing zones under the government’s “Olive Valley” initiative.
Upon their return, the graduates will be deployed across key olive‑producing regions, working alongside provincial agriculture officers to introduce improved cultivars, implement precision‑farming tools, and train local farmers through extension workshops. The Ministry has earmarked PKR 1.8 billion for the pilot, covering travel, tuition, and a seed fund for establishing demonstration orchards, with the expectation that the programme will generate at least 5,000 new jobs in rural areas over the next three years.
The move aligns with Sharif’s broader strategy to diversify Pakistan’s agricultural exports beyond traditional staples such as wheat and cotton. By nurturing a high‑value, climate‑resilient crop like olives, the government hopes to boost foreign exchange earnings, stimulate agribusiness entrepreneurship, and provide a sustainable livelihood for small‑holder farmers across the country.