Evolution of olive farming, industry, and usage in Pakistan: A comprehensive review

Despite development, the present and prospects of olive cultivation in Pakistan are progressive in every aspect; people use olive oil and olive-based products not only for their food and nutritional values but also for their religious importance. With an annual expenditure of approximately 4.5 billion dollars on edible oil imports, Pakistan initiated olive production ventures in collaboration with Italy, Spain, and China to curtail import costs and attain self-sufficiency. The olive farming potential of Pakistan has been recognized due to more than 8 million wild olive plants and suitable land and climate conditions in various regions of KPK, Balochistan, and Punjab. Along with grafting millions of wild olive trees, about 5 million new plants have grown in the past few years, and still, more than 10 million acres of suitable land are available. The establishment of new olive processing mills, the “50 Million Olive Tree Tsunami” project, and the “Promotion of Olive Cultivation for Economic Development and Poverty Alleviation' project have been instrumental in expanding olive cultivation, augmenting production capacity, generating employment opportunities, and addressing poverty. However, there is still a dire need to mitigate the challenges and needs within the olive sector, which include awareness and training among farmers, infrastructure improvement, adequate storage and packaging facilities, standardized quality testing, and competitive pricing. The lack of interest from local vendors and food processing companies, along with financial constraints faced by farmers, poses additional hurdles. Recommendations to address these challenges include prioritizing training programs, conducting surveys for data collection, increasing awareness of the health benefits of olive oil, and establishing loan schemes and private-sector investments. Encouraging the local production of olive oil extraction machinery and upgrading technology can help reduce reliance on imports. These measures collectively aim to propel Pakistan toward becoming a significant player in the global olive production landscape.