Govt to Allocate Rs. 500 Million for Commercial Olive Farming

The federal government has proposed an allocation of Rs. 2.02 billion for the Ministry of National Food Security and Research in the upcoming budget for FY 2025-26, with a significant portion of the funding aimed at promoting commercial olive cultivation across the country. Rs. 500 million has been earmarked specifically to expand olive farming on a commercial scale. The initiative is being seen as a strategic move to reduce reliance on imported edible oils, diversify crop patterns, and tap into the global demand for high-quality olive oil. Agricultural experts believe Pakistan has strong potential to become a major regional player in olive oil production, particularly in areas like Potohar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and parts of Balochistan, where climatic conditions are favorable. Beyond olive cultivation, the proposed budget includes several other strategic allocations to support agricultural growth and food security: