ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will initiate a memorandum of understanding with Italy to deepen scientific cooperation on olive research and cultivation as it seeks to expand climate-resilient agriculture, diversify rural livelihoods and reduce reliance on imported edible oil, state media reported on Thursday.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research in Islamabad, chaired by Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, according to Radio Pakistan. The proposed MoU will be signed between Pakistan’s National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology and Italy’s University of Bari Aldo Moro, one of Europe’s leading centers for olive research.

Pakistan has increasingly turned to olive cultivation in recent years as climate change, water stress and rising food import bills force a rethink of traditional cropping patterns. The country imports most of its edible oil requirements, while olives, a drought-resistant, long-term crop, are viewed by policymakers as suitable for arid and semi-arid regions where conventional agriculture is becoming less viable.

“The MoU is aimed at enabling access to internationally recognized olive varieties, joint research initiatives, and specialized training of Pakistani scientists and technicians,” Radio Pakistan reported.

The ministry said the planned MoU would support Pakistan’s broader efforts to modernize agriculture, strengthen climate adaptation and reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves by cutting edible oil imports.

The ministry also announced that Phase III of the Promotion of Olive Cultivation on Commercial Scale in Pakistan will be formulated soon. Officials said Pakistan has made progress in converting marginal and previously uncultivated land into productive olive orchards, contributing to climate resilience, livelihood diversification and import substitution.

Radio Pakistan said the minister emphasized expanding olive plantations across suitable agro-climatic zones and strengthening the entire olive value chain to ensure long-term economic and environmental benefits.

Pakistan launched its olive promotion program several years ago, focusing on regions such as Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and parts of Punjab, where changing rainfall patterns and water scarcity have reduced the viability of water-intensive crops. Authorities say international research collaboration and improved plant varieties are critical to improving yields, quality and commercial sustainability.

Italy is among the world’s leading producers of olives and olive oil, with long-established expertise in olive genetics, cultivation techniques and value-chain development. Pakistani officials see cooperation with Italian institutions as a way to accelerate local capacity-building and align domestic production with international standards.