Olive (Zaitoon) is a highly nutritious fruit and its oil is one of the best edible oils in the world. Pakistan is one of the fortunate countries which have suitable climate for olive growth. Naturally Pakistan has high potential for olive as there are more 80 million wild Olive trees all across the country. Currently there are more than 19 cultivated olive varieties in Pakistan.
There are several imported Olive varieties which are being cultivated in Pakistan. Italian Olive Varieties include Coratina, Frantoio, Ascolana, Nocellera and Leccino. Olive varieties imported from Spain include Arbequina, Picual, Hojiblanca Manzanilla and Sevillano. Gemlik is Turkish Olive variety which is also successful in Pakistan. Other than above mentioned Olive varieties there are two locally prepared varieties in Pakistan which are produced by Barani Agricultural Research Institute Chakwal, BARI Chakwal has prepared BARI Zaitoon-1 and BARI Zaitoon-2.
Olives can be planted in well drained, Sandy, Heavy (clay), rocky and even nutrient poor soils. In Pakistan Olives are planted in different areas of Punjab, KPK and Balochistan. Olives also perform well in Northern Areas of Pakistan such as Fata, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. In Pakistan Olives are planted in Pothohar Region i.e Chakwal, Kallar Kahar, Talagang, Lawa, Islamabad and Naushehra khushab. Other than Pothohar Region you can see olive plantation in Thal, Lahore, Layyah, Bhakhar, Sahiwal, Kasur, Mianwali, Bahawalpur and Olive has great potential in other areas of Punjab. Olive tree is nature’s gift for barren Lands as these require less water and can grow in nutrient poor soils. Areas of Balochistan and Punjab which has been barren due to water scarcity and rough land conditions can be turned into productive piece of land by olive plantation. Pakistan government have also launched various initiatives to promote olive farming. Programs like the "Olive Cultivation Project" aim to plant millions of olive trees across the country by providing subsidies, technical support, and training to farmers.
Table Olives:
Olive varieties are categorized on the basis of use such as table olives and Oil Olives. Other than Olive extraction these are eaten fresh, treated with brine, fried and stuffed with cheese, almond or garlic. Table Olive varieties include Arbequina, Picual, Hojiblanca, Kalamata, Sevillano, Ascolana, Picholine and Manzanilla Olives. Some Olives taste bitter so cannot be eaten fresh. So these are processed in different ways to remove bitterness.
Oil Curing: In this process olives are soaked in Oil for several months.
Water Curing: Washing and soaking in water for months.
Brine Curing: Olives are soaked in Brine solution for up to 6 months.
Dry Curing: Olives are soaked into salt for 6 months.
Al these methods remove bitterness of the olives. There are several health benefits of table olives as these contain phenolic compounds which have anti-microbial activity. Table Olives are nutritious and tasty addition to daily meals.
Table Olive varieties include Arbequina, Picual, Hojiblanca, Kalamata, Sevillano, Ascolana, Picholine and Manzanilla Olives.
Olives are primarily cultivated for their oils. Olive Oil is Edible oil which is extracted from olive fruits through physical methods. There are several types of Olives Oils which are categorized on the basis of quality and extraction methods. Extra Virgin Oil is highest quality Oil which is unprocessed and extracted under defined conditions such as keeping temperature lower than 75 Fahrenheit throughout the procedure. Other categories of Olive oils include Virgin oil, Ordinary Virgin Oil and Refined Olive oils. Pakistan imports 75% of the total oil consumed in Pakistan and spends over 3.5 billion USD on edible oils. According to resources Pakistan has potential to grow olives on more than 3.116 million acres. That will not only meet the countries oil requirements but it will also boost the countries Olive oil Exports.
Oil Olive varieties include Arbequina, Koroneiki, Gemlik, Picual, Leccino, Frantoio, Coratina.
Previously Olive plants were imported from Italy, Spain and Turkey which were not only expensive but mass planting was difficult. BARI Chakwal was the first government institute which promoted olive propagation techniques and produced olive plants locally. They have mastered the art of Olive propagation and now they have trained several Farmers in the private sector to produce olive plants. Olive plants are produced through seeds, air layering and through cuttings. Millions of Olive plants are produced in Private and government sector yearly and now you can get olive plants locally in Pakistan. Don’t forget to check authenticity of the olive varieties and plants at the time of purchasing.
Other than Olive Oil and table Olives there are several other products which are made of olive. There are many ways for the value addition of Olive fruits. Olive fruits are used to make pickles, jams and Olive snacks. Its leaves are used to make Olive leaf Tea and Leaf extract which is used in as antioxidant in supplements. Olives are also used to make cosmetic products such as Olive soap, creams, lotions and balms. Its wood is used for making high quality furniture and for carving. Olive tree has great potential in in various markets such as food, health, cosmetics and industrial sectors.
Now it is very easy to get Olive plants in Pakistan. There are several nurseries in the private sector which are selling olive plants. Before you buy Olives for your home garden or for commercial purpose, be sure to get certified varieties from authentic suppliers. Agrixum Nursery Farm is dually registered and authentic Olive plants supplier in Punjab. All the olive plants available at Agrixum Nursery Farm are produced locally through cuttings and Air layering methods from certified multiplication blocks. Our experienced staff works hard to produce high quality and healthy plants throughout the year. You can visit and experience olive production units at Agrixum Nursery Farm Naushera. Moreover which variety will be suitable for your climate and land, contact us for free customer support and guide.
