Pakistan gets to the root of olive authenticity

December 19, 2025 (MLN): Pakistan has moved to introduce DNA-based verification of olive varieties to improve plant authenticity and quality standards in the country’s expanding olive sector.

The initiative also involves deeper technical cooperation with Italy, building on earlier bilateral agreements focused on strengthening olive cultivation, nursery systems, and value-chain development.

The decision to adopt molecular fingerprinting of olive plants marks a shift toward formal certification of true-to-type varieties, according to the press release. 

The step is critical for improving yields, oil quality, and farmer confidence as olive plantations expand across marginal and rain-fed areas of the country.

The National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology (NIGAB) will conduct the testing, subject to the availability of verified parent genetic material.

To support this effort, Pakistan will pursue a memorandum of understanding between NIGAB and the University of Bari Aldo Moro in Italy, with technical facilitation from CIHEAM Bari. 

The partnership will provide access to internationally recognized genetic (SSR) profiles, reference plant material, joint research, and training for Pakistani scientists.

The latest move follows a series of engagements between Pakistan and Italy on olive sector development. 

Earlier this month, on December 5, Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research Rana Tanveer Hussain met Italian Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry Francesco Lollobrigida in Rome on the sidelines of the FAO Council. 

During that meeting, both sides reviewed progress on Italian-supported initiatives, including the Olive Culture Project (2022–2024), the AICS-funded Olive Culture Scale-Up Project, and Pakistan’s commercial-scale olive cultivation programme (Phase II, 2021–2026).

Those discussions also covered upcoming memoranda of understanding on agricultural mechanization, professional capacity building, and modern farming technologies. 

Italy indicated it would propose a separate MoU focused specifically on olive sector cooperation, while highlighting its quality-control systems across the olive oil production chain.

The proposed NIGAB University of Bari collaboration fits within this broader framework of cooperation and will also support the characterization of local wild olive species, including Olea europaea subspecies cuspidata, alongside imported commercial varieties.

The ministry has also directed that future plantation expansion be aligned with regional climate conditions. 

As part of this approach, Tunisian olive varieties suited to high-temperature environments will be tested on a pilot basis in Cholistan, alongside detailed climatic and agronomic assessments.

Pakistan has promoted olives as a strategic crop to diversify agriculture, generate rural income, and reduce reliance on imported edible oils. 

While cultivation has expanded in recent years, industry participants have raised concerns about inconsistent nursery quality and mixed plant material, issues the government expects DNA based verification to address.

Separately, a third phase of the national olive promotion programme is being prepared.

The proposed phase is expected to include public private partnerships, match grant mechanisms, and exploration of carbon credit financing to scale up plantations, processing, and exports.

During the Rome meeting earlier this month, Pakistan highlighted the international recognition of “Loralai Olive,” which won a silver medal at the New York International Olive Oil Competition 2025.

The award was cited as evidence of the sector’s export potential when quality standards are met.

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