RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) in collaboration with USAID-assisted Punjab Enabling Environment Project (PEEP) organised a training seminar for olive farmers on olive cultivation in the Potohar Region. The major of the training seminar was to promote olive sector development by raising awareness among olive farmers on olive production technologies, harvesting practices, and irrigation schedule.
RCCI President Mian Humayun Parvez, Senior Vice President Saqib Rafiq, Vice President Muhammad Aqil Obaid, Chief of party, USAID – Punjab Enabling Environment Project (PEEP) Muhammad Junaid, Investment Promotion Specialist, Imran Chaudhry, HICD Specialist, Ali Khan, Regional Manager SMEDA Muhammad Asghar, members of the RCCI executive Committee and a large number of potential investors and traders attended the Seminar.
Addressing the participants of the seminar, Muhammad Junaid said that the major aim of arranging this seminar to discuss opportunities and challenges in the development of an Olive Valley in the Potohar region of Punjab. He said that the Potohar region possesses ideal climatic conditions and land for the commercial cultivation of olive orchards. Looking at the growth opportunities emerging from this region, the provincial government has allocated funds for the implementation of the Olive Sector Development Project in Punjab, which was developed through technical assistance provided by USAID, he added.
Representatives from USAID Punjab Enabling Environment Project (PEEP) also gave an overview of project’s Matching Grants program and other initiatives for olive sector development.
Speaking on the occasion, RCCI President Mian Humayun Parvez appreciated the Punjab government initiative and USAID support to bring awareness among growers and cultivators about Olive. He added that organizing such training and awareness seminar will provide participants a forum to develop linkages between business entities, potential investors, olive cultivators and growers, horticulture experts, public and private sector representatives to support the government of Punjab in successfully implementing the olive sector development plan.
