Potential of wild olives for economy and environment highlighted

Book on olives launched as experts link plantation with climate resilience and import substitution

IV Report

KARACHI: Pakistan could derive substantial economic and environmental benefits from its largely untapped wild olive resources, speakers said at a seminar held at the University of Karachi (KU) on Tuesday to mark National Tree Plantation Day 2026.

Organised by the Department of Food Science and Technology in collaboration with United King, the seminar brought together academics, industry representatives and community leaders to discuss how olive cultivation could contribute to foreign exchange earnings, import substitution, climate resilience and sustainable land use. Pakistan’s first book dedicated to olives was also launched on the occasion, according to a KU press release.

KU Dean of the Faculty of Science Prof Dr Bilquees Gul said the growing challenges of food and water security required greater attention to non-traditional crops and plants. She suggested that barren and non-productive land could be utilised for such plantation to support food security and environmental sustainability.

Delivering the keynote address, General Secretary of Dua Foundation and author of the book Dr Faiyaz Alam said Pakistan possessed a wide range of plant species and trees with significant economic value that remained underutilised due to limited awareness and inadequate institutional support.

He said many countries were earning foreign exchange through the commercial use of such resources, while Pakistan had yet to fully benefit from its natural wealth. He noted that millions of wild olive trees existed, particularly in northern regions, and could be converted into productive assets through grafting and proper care.

Dr Alam said pilot initiatives undertaken in different parts of the country had shown encouraging results, adding that greater research, investment and community participation were needed to expand olive cultivation.

Faculty member of KU’s Department of Food Science and Technology Dr Syed Muhammad Ghufran Saeed described olive cultivation as a potential “economic revolution” for Pakistan. He said the country spent billions of dollars annually on edible oil imports and could save valuable foreign exchange through greater domestic production.

He added that large-scale olive plantation would also contribute to climate change mitigation by increasing green cover and reducing carbon emissions.

United King Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Tahseen said tree plantation had become a global necessity in the face of climate change and represented an investment in future generations.

Chairman Gulshan Town Karachi Dr Fauad Ahmed stressed the social and ethical responsibility of protecting natural resources, while Chairman of the Department of Food Science and Technology Dr Muhammad Abdul Haq, in his welcome address, highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in promoting research and public awareness.

The seminar concluded with the inauguration of a reverse osmosis (RO) plant and a tree plantation campaign at the department. Guests, faculty members and students also planted saplings on the campus.

Photographs courtesy: KU