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Olive Orchard Management for Sustainable Olive Production

Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company (PHDEC) organized a technical webinar on 10 March 2026 titled “From Orchard to Oil: Scientific Orchard Management for Sustainable Olive Production and High-Quality Olive Oil.” The objective of the webinar was to strengthen the technical knowledge of olive growers, processors, exporters, and other stakeholders regarding modern orchard management practices that can enhance productivity and ensure the production of premium-quality olive oil for both domestic consumption and export markets. The keynote presentation was delivered by Dr. Ramzan, Director of Centre of Excellence for Olive Research and Training (CEFORT), who delivered a comprehensive and highly informative presentation covering the complete production cycle of olives—from orchard establishment to oil extraction. He emphasized that scientific orchard management is the key factor in achieving sustainable olive production and high-quality olive oil, particularly in emerging olive-growing regions of Pakistan. Dr. Ramzan elaborated in detail on the nutritional and fertilizer requirements of olive plants, highlighting that balanced nutrient management is essential for healthy plant growth, improved fruit setting, and better oil quality. He explained the importance of conducting soil and leaf analysis to determine the nutrient status of olive orchards and to develop site-specific fertilizer recommendations. According to him, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) play a fundamental role in plant growth, while micronutrients such as zinc, boron, iron, and magnesium are also critical for optimal fruit development and oil quality. He further discussed the appropriate timing and methods of fertilizer application, emphasizing that proper fertilization during key growth stages—such as flowering, fruit development, and oil accumulation—can significantly improve yield and oil content. In addition to nutrient management, Dr. Ramzan also highlighted the importance of scientific irrigation practices, pruning techniques, pest and disease management, and timely harvesting to maintain orchard health and ensure the production of high-quality olives suitable for premium oil extraction. He stressed that the adoption of good agricultural practices (GAP) and modern orchard management techniques can greatly improve the competitiveness of Pakistan’s olive sector in international markets. During the question-and-answer session, the President of Olive Foundation South Punjab shared an interesting development regarding an olive and date palm intercropping project initiated in Cholistan, Bahawalpur. He explained that the project aims to utilize arid land resources efficiently by integrating olives with date palm cultivation, thereby increasing land productivity and farmers’ income in desert regions. He also expressed his interest in collaborating with PHDEC and becoming part of the upcoming PHDEC Olive Certification Project, which would help growers and producers ensure quality assurance and improve market access. Another participant, Mr. Umair from Olive Pakistan, informed the audience that his company has recently secured export orders for three to four containers of olive oil. However, the international buyer has requested recognized olive oil certification as a prerequisite for the shipment. He requested PHDEC to facilitate exporters in obtaining certification so that Pakistani olive oil can meet international quality standards and gain better acceptance in global markets. The technical session was concluded by Dr. Azeem, Consultant Agro at PHDEC, who appreciated the relevance and timeliness of the webinar. He highlighted that global demand for high-quality olive oil is steadily increasing, which presents a significant opportunity for Pakistan’s emerging olive industry. He emphasized that the PHDEC Olive Certification Project will play a crucial role in strengthening quality assurance systems and enabling Pakistani olive oil to meet international standards and certification requirements. The webinar concluded with active participation from growers, exporters, researchers, and industry stakeholders, reaffirming PHDEC’s commitment to capacity building, quality enhancement, and export promotion of Pakistan’s olive sector.