About Us

OliveCulture is a project by CIHEAM Bari which is a center for postgraduate training, applied scientific research and design of in loco partnership actions within the framework of international research and cooperation programmes.

Established in 1962, the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) is a Mediterranean intergovernmental organization composed of 13 member countries. The CIHEAM has a long history of multilateral and regional cooperation and offers education and training, research, technical assistance, and capacity building.

Originally focused on the training of senior executives from Mediterranean countries, the CIHEAM quickly became a pioneer in the mobility of students and young researchers. It works with public administrations, universities and research centers, cooperation and development organizations, local authorities, civil society actors and companies to meet the needs of Mediterranean populations and territories.

The OliveCulture project implemented by CIHEAM Bari, encourages the local production of olive oil and promotes the olive value chain, therefore offers assistance and technical guidance to ensure farmers, institutions and businesses benefit from top quality olive oil production in Pakistan, and strengthen the olive value chain as well which can contribute to economic growth.

The initiative is implemented in the suitable olive cultivation areas of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh (as an emerging area), Gilgit-Balitistan and Islamabad Capital Territory.

The mission is to systematize and consolidate the results achieved so far by Pakistani and Italian initiatives carried out in Pakistan in order to weave a national canvas (Holistic Mechanism) to build all the steps – from-farm-to-fork– of a Pakistani Olive Oil Value Chain, to be tailored to each Province’s requirements. Whereas the Multi-professional Mechanism encompasses all institutional, scientific, health (incl. Covid-19) social, economic, cultural, environmental, nutritional, and convivial aspects to converge to and spread from the OliveCulture Places.

We aim to strengthen the Pakistani olive oil value chain on several levels in a holistic, participatory, and multifunctional way, involving institutions, businesses, farmers, youth and women and consumers to improve economic, productive, and qualitative performances.

Objectives

The project’s ability will be to respond to the country’s agricultural needs in increasing food and nutritional security, environmental resilience and cultural enhancement through olive growing and its related industries.

Overall Objective

The Pakistani state and the suitable provinces, particularly the neighboring areas with Afghanistan, have upgraded food and nutritional security, environmental resilience and cultural enhancement through olive growing and its related industries.

Specific Objective

Rural communities and institutional, public and private actors in Pakistan’s olive growing areas have a sustainable holistic mechanism for strengthening the Pakistani quality olive value chain and its entire range of professions to ensure progression in income generation.

Expected Results

Agronomic, cultural and social heritage of the olive tree and its potentialities are analyzed
An adequate policy supports rural development of the olive sector
Pakistani olive value chain improved and characterized at different levels
Women and youth are engaged in income-generating activities along the olive tree value chain
Pakistani society is committed to the overall promotion of OliveCulture

Core Communication

To Government

“ Support in creating public awareness and take up olive oil value chain efforts. Act as catalyzers of the value chain approach, in all its steps. The main pillar of the system and Interaction with businesses private-Public-Partnership ”

Development Partners

“ Government and OliveCulture Project will issue Guidelines for ensuring quality olive value- added chain at large to contribute to socio- economic development and employment opportunities and poverty ”

To Government

“ Support in creating public awareness and take up olive oil value chain efforts.Act as catalyzers of the value chain approach, in all its steps.The main pillar of the system and Interaction with businesses private-Public-Partnership ”

Consumers

“ If only Pakistan knew! The culture of olive oil. Olive oil is gold and its consumption benefits health and climate ”

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Olive Festival

Total Direct Trained Beneficiaries

Total Training Sessions

Awareness Campaigns

Institutional Partner