Post Reply 
 
Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Pakistan’s environment, soil fit for olive plantation
04-09-2009, 06:25 AM
Post: #1
Pakistan’s environment, soil fit for olive plantation
by Afshan S. Khan
Pakistan is the biggest importer of edible oil and the economy of the country has to bear a great burden annually on import of this valuable commodity, said Italian ambassador to Pakistan Vincenzo Prati.

Addressing a national conference titled, ‘Olive Oil Production in Pakistan; Result and way forward’ at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) here on Wednesday, he said that olive plantation is not an easy task. “It is not simply to just plant a sapling. If you do not have suitable soil the plant cannot flourish. But Pakistan has been gifted with natural climate and soil for olive plantation and Potohar, NWFP and Fata are potential areas for olive production,” he added.

He said it is a challenge for Pakistan economy as well as agriculture sector. “Italian investors are keen to invest in olive oil production in Pakistan and there is a dire need of interaction between Pakistani businessmen and their Italian counterparts to improve Olive oil business in Pakistan.

Federal Secretary, Ministry of Food and Agriculture Muhammad Zia-ur-Rehamn said in order to minimise dependence on edible oil import, the government has given special attention to this sector. “Our strategy is to enhance domestic edible oil production through increase in sunflower and canola crops, as short term measures and in order to transform this sector into ‘Plantation Economy’, we are also promoting oil-bearing plants like: olive in hilly areas and palm oil in coastal areas as long-term measures.”

The federal secretary informed the gathering that in future a mega project is to be launched for promotion of olive and olive products for poverty alleviation and economic development. He appreciated and thanked the Italian government for funding this project through Italian debt swap arrangements.

Pakistan Oilseed Development Board (PODB) Managing Director Qaiser Ali Shah said that the oilseed crops were facing competition with the important cash crops like; wheat, cotton and rice.

Earlier in his welcome address PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalid Mahmood Khan informed the gathering that the university has become a hub of such activities and provides forum for open discussions on the topics of immediate national concern.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=171496
Quote this message in a reply
Post Reply 


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread: Author Replies: Views: Last Post
  CDA hands over environment record to commission Salman 0 5,282 04-30-2015 05:18 PM
Last Post: Salman
  CM assurance of investment friendly environment Salman 0 3,598 02-10-2014 02:46 PM
Last Post: Salman
  DHA takes measures to improve living environment in area Salman 0 5,168 08-24-2012 11:27 AM
Last Post: Salman
  City’s ‘V-shaped’ expansion taxing resources, environment Salman 0 3,866 01-23-2012 01:13 PM
Last Post: Salman
  Encroachments impediment to clean environment Lahore_Real_Estate 0 3,771 03-04-2011 05:11 PM
Last Post: Lahore_Real_Estate
  Celebrating World Environment Day Lahore_Real_Estate 0 3,114 06-05-2010 01:45 PM
Last Post: Lahore_Real_Estate
  Tree plantation campaign launched in Shah Faisal Town Lahore_Real_Estate 0 3,317 04-13-2010 11:07 AM
Last Post: Lahore_Real_Estate
  11 Iranian soldiers arrested from Pakistani soil Naveed Yaseen 0 3,087 10-26-2009 11:53 PM
Last Post: Naveed Yaseen
  Karachi: DHA & Sindh Environment Protection Agency criticised over Gizri flyover LahoreEstate 0 3,331 06-30-2009 07:12 AM
Last Post: LahoreEstate
  Punjab: Environment budget cut by 50pc Naveed Yaseen 0 2,737 06-17-2009 06:45 AM
Last Post: Naveed Yaseen
  Disposing unused medicines in environment friendly way Naveed Yaseen 0 2,729 06-14-2009 07:59 AM
Last Post: Naveed Yaseen
  Rawalpindi: Environment-friendly brick kilns start functioning Naveed Yaseen 0 2,839 05-27-2009 07:59 AM
Last Post: Naveed Yaseen
  Olive oil offers best protection from heart attack: study LahoreEstate 0 2,355 04-03-2009 08:48 AM
Last Post: LahoreEstate
  India using Afghan soil to destabilize Pakistan: Afghan government official Naveed Yaseen 0 2,835 04-02-2009 08:24 PM
Last Post: Naveed Yaseen
  Environment is changing (by Syed Munawwar Hassan, newly elected Amir of JI) Naveed Yaseen 0 3,015 04-01-2009 08:02 AM
Last Post: Naveed Yaseen
  Environment friendliness "carbon credits" offers chance to earn billions Naveed Yaseen 0 3,087 03-15-2009 05:57 AM
Last Post: Naveed Yaseen
  Hazardous e-waste threat to environment Naveed Yaseen 0 2,645 03-04-2009 10:56 AM
Last Post: Naveed Yaseen
  Islamabad: No environment rehab plans: Pak-EPA objects to Garden Avenue dualisation Naveed Yaseen 0 3,074 11-07-2008 09:48 AM
Last Post: Naveed Yaseen
  Islamabad: CDA fails to enforce environment protection laws Naveed Yaseen 0 2,545 08-26-2008 05:24 AM
Last Post: Naveed Yaseen
  Punjab: Plantation on one lac Acres planned LRE 0 2,319 08-10-2008 10:27 AM
Last Post: LRE

Forum Jump:


User(s) browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)