Inaugural ceremony of Olive Oil Processing Centre was held at Balochistan Agricultural Research & Development Centre (BARDC) of PARC at Quetta.
Governor Balochistan Syed Zahoor Ahmed Agha was the Chief Guest of the event. Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council Dr Ghulam Muhammad Ali, FAO representatives Waleed Mehdi, Sabai, MD of Pak Oil Seeds Department Dr Khair Muhammad Kakar, Dr Nadeem Sadiq and Director Research Javed Tareen were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the latest olive oil processing centre, the Governor Balochistan Syed Zahoor Ahmed Agha said that 70 percent olive cultivation of the country is being done in Balochistan.
Governor Balochistan further said that 30 percent olive oil is being extracted in Balochistan during the present era. He also added that government would spend Rs 600 billion on development projects in Balochistan to improve the living standard of locals.
Before inauguration, the Governor was also briefed that the project worth Rs. 2 billion would provide machinery and other facilities to the farmers of Balochistan. This is followed by another project costing Rs. 4 billion in which farmers will also be provided three months trainings.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali Chairman PARC said that PARC is working on the project to promote olive cultivation in Balochistan, if the olive project in Balochistan is successful, the economy of the province can go very high and it can earn a lot of foreign exchange.
The land of Balochistan is very suitable for cultivation of olives. Olives require less water which is suitable for the conditions of Balochistan. Its fruit is not wasted. All support will continue to be provided to the center.
