The federal government is working on commercial olive farming in Chagai, Balochistan, as part of its initiative to promote olive cultivation in the country.
According to the project director of the Olive Cultivation Development Programme, areas such as Taftan, Bramcha, Aminabad, Saindek, and Chattear in Balochistan have great potential for olive farming. Thousands of hectares of land are available, and suitable olive varieties can be grown there.
Former Senate Chairman, Senator Sadiq Sanjrani, met with Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, in Islamabad on Wednesday.
They discussed ways to promote olive farming in Balochistan, including the establishment of a research centre under the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) in Chagai to boost agricultural production.
“Taftan, Bramcha, Aminabad, Saindek, Chattear areas of Balochistan have ‘enormous potential for olive cultivation.”
The meeting also covered agricultural issues, improvements, and the transformation of farming in the province.
Mr. Tanveer emphasized the need for agricultural transformation in Balochistan’s vast 40,000-square-kilometre area, expressing hope for the development of grain and horticultural crops.
Pakistan has 8.2 million hectares of cultivable land, with Balochistan accounting for 4 million hectares. Based on past plantations, land availability, and climate, the federal government has identified seven key olive-growing regions in Balochistan: Barkhan, Musakhel, Zhob, Khuzdar, Washuk, Noshki, and Panjgoor.
In the second phase of the olive cultivation program, 75,000 acres of land, mainly in these identified clusters, will be brought under commercial olive farming.
A study by the International Trade Centre (ITC) of the United Nations revealed that commercial olive farming has been largely ignored in Balochistan.
The olive crop is gaining popularity due to its low water needs, drought tolerance, and strong resistance to pests and diseases. In Balochistan, organic or inorganic fertilizers are rarely used in olive farming.
To support farmers, the agriculture research department has set up two small processing units in Khuzdar, two in Loralai, and one in Musakhel. These units provide olive processing facilities at farmers’ doorsteps, helping boost production.
According to the ITC report, “Due to favourable climatic conditions, Balochistan’s olive oil content ranges from 18% to 22%, while in Punjab’s Potohar region, it is between 8% and 10%.”
