Strategic Meeting on Scaling Up Olive Culture in Pakistan
The first Steering Committee meeting for the “OliveCulture Scale-up – Scaling up OliveCulture Value Chain and Promoting Climate Resilient Rural Development in Pakistan” project was successfully convened on Tuesday, December 3, at the Ministry of National Food Security & Research. The meeting, chaired by the Honorable Federal Secretary of the Ministry, Ali Tahir, and co-chaired by H.E. Ambassador of Italy in Pakistan, Marilina Armellin, marked a significant milestone for advancing Pakistan’s olive sector.
During her remarks, Ambassador Armellin commended the flagship project as a testament to the strong partnership between the Italian and Pakistani governments. She highlighted the initiative as a cornerstone for building a sustainable and environmentally resilient Pakistan. The Ambassador applauded the involvement of CIHEAM Bari and AICS and acknowledged the project’s transformative impact on olive cultivation and economic growth in Pakistan. Reflecting on the project’s success in its first phase, she expressed optimism for continued progress in its second phase.
Federal Secretary Ali Tahir, representing the Government of Pakistan and the Ministry of National Food Security & Research (MNFS&R), expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Italian Government, AICS, and CIHEAM Bari for their unwavering support. He underscored his personal connection to the Olive Revolution, which he has championed since 2012, emphasizing its profound impact on rural livelihoods and Pakistan’s economic framework. He pledged to ensure the second phase maximizes the project’s benefits.
Mr. Francesco Zatta, Head of Office at the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in Islamabad, emphasized the success of the Pakistan-Italy collaboration. He projected even greater achievements in olive production and oil quality in the upcoming phase.
Deputy Director of CIHEAM Bari, Biagio Di Terlizzi, noted the geographical distance between Italy and Pakistan but praised the strong, collaborative relationship fostered by the project. He commended Pakistan’s agricultural institutions for their efforts in enhancing the country’s resilience to climate change.
Dr. Costantino Parma presented the General and Annual Work Plans, along with financial strategies, to support further development in the sector. Representatives from the MNFS&R, AICS, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Provincial Agriculture Departments, the Oil Seed Department, and the OliveCulture Scale-up Project Management Unit also participated in the session.
The meeting concluded with unanimous approval of the proposed plans by the Honorable Federal Secretary and H.E. Italian Ambassador, charting a robust course for future initiatives.
