Pakistan plants 7.6 million olive trees across 60,456 acres in 131 districts

Pakistan has planted 7.637 million olive trees across 60,456 acres in 131 districts, as part of efforts to promote olive cultivation on a commercial scale, according to documents cited by state media on Monday.

The plantation drive has spread across several regions of the country, including Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sindh, Islamabad Capital Territory and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Balochistan leads plantation effort

Balochistan has emerged as a leading region in the olive plantation initiative, according to the documents, reflecting the province's suitability for olive cultivation. The broader push spans the majority of Pakistan's provinces and territories, indicating a nationwide scope for the programme.

Olive cultivation has been promoted in Pakistan in recent years as part of efforts to diversify agricultural output and develop new commercial crops suited to the country's varied climates. The scale of the current plantation figures suggests a sustained, multi-year effort spanning a large number of districts.

Further details on the programme's timeline, funding, and expected yield from the newly planted trees were not specified in the available documents.