Grant signed for olive oil extraction unit

LAHORE: USAID Punjab Enabling Environment Project (PEEP) and Allied Foods have signed a grant to establish a mobile olive extraction unit, a statement said on Monday. 

“I would like to congratulate the agriculture department and Punjab government for their innovative efforts and commend USAID-PEEP team for their continued support to the olive sector development in Punjab,” said Jerry Bisson, Mission Director USAID-Pakistan at the first annual meeting of Olive Development Group (ODG).   Bisson also showered kudos on all those, who were present on the occasion of, a milestone that reflects the commitment and collective contribution for olive sector development.  

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of Punjab established the ODG in May 2016 as part of their combined effort to transform the Potohar Valley in Punjab Province into Pakistan’s first region dedicated to the cultivation of olives. 

The ODG is chaired by Agriculture Secretary Muhammad Mahmood and includes representatives from the olive value chain, academia, and industry associations. Secretary Mahmood, Director Jerry Bisson, and a diverse group of sector stakeholders participated in the meeting.   Bisson also joined Mahmood in inaugurating an oil extraction unit at the Barani Agriculture Research Institute.

USAID’s PEEP is a $14.98 million, five-year initiative to enhance private sector-led growth in the horticulture, livestock, and dairy sub-sectors of Punjab through policy reform advocacy as well as human and institutional capacity development.