ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s 10 Billion Tree Tsunami project launched in 2014 bythe PTI government has triggered a silent olive revolution in the country.
Pakistan, now the 19th member of the International Olive Council, isproducing about 1,500 tons of olive oil per year and 830 tons of tableolives, according to Juan Vilar Strategic Consultants.
It is also helping tackle some of the effects of climate change such assoil erosion and desertification and bringing new opportunities to farmers.Olive cultivation was started as a pilot project in Potohar region by thenPunjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government in 2014. The PTIgovernment promoted it nationwide as a part of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s10 Billion Tree Tsunami initiative to bring about the olive revolution inthe country, reported South Asia Investor Review.
Former prime minister Imran Khan also shared the news on his Twitter handle.
Pakistan is the world’s third largest importer of cooking oil. In 2020,Pakistan imported $2.1 billion worth of palm oil, behind only India’s $5.1billion and China’s $4.1 billion in palm oil imports. Increasing olive oilproduction will help the country reduce its dependence on palm oil imports.Substituting imported palm oil with domestic olive oil may also helpimprove the heath of Pakistani consumers.
Read Top Stories
The International Olive Council (IOC) has 18 members, mostly European andMiddle Eastern nations located in the Mediterranean region. Pakistan hasjoined as its 19th member. The IOC members account for more than 98% ofglobal olive production. The IOC has been headquartered in the Spanishcapital Madrid since it was founded in 1959.
The organization specifies acceptable quality control testing methods andassures consumer transparency information, for example: hygiene standardsalong the supply chain, suitable packing materials and filling tolerancesproduct labelling standards, identification of any food additives orallowable contaminants, recommendations for environmental protection in theuse and disposal of olive products.
