Islamabad (GNP): In a significant step towards strengthening Pakistan’s position within the international olive community following its accession to the International Olive Council (IOC), the inaugural session of the five-day Master Training on Olive Oil Sensory Evaluation and Panel Tasting was held at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad.
The training marks the launch of a strategic initiative aimed at establishing Pakistan’s first Olive Oil Sensory Evaluation and Tasting Panel, thereby enhancing national capacity in olive oil quality assessment in accordance with internationally recognized standards.
During the inaugural session, H.E. Ms. Marilina Armellin, Ambassador of the Italian Republic to Pakistan, reaffirmed Italy’s continued commitment to supporting the development of Pakistan’s olive sector.
Referring to Pakistan’s recent accession to the International Olive Council (IOC), she highlighted the importance of strengthening local expertise and aligning with internationally recognized standards to further enhance the country’s standing within the global olive community.
A key highlight of the event was the presentation of the recently approved “Pakistan National Olive Value Chain Policy Along with the Implementation Strategy and Road Map” to H.E. Ambassador Marilina Armellin.
The policy represents an important milestone resulting from years of close cooperation and technical engagement among national and international stakeholders. Developed through an extensive consultative process and supported by the technical efforts of the OliveCulture Scale-Up Project, the policy embodies a shared vision for the sustainable development of Pakistan’s olive sector.
By providing a strategic framework for governance, quality standards, research, value addition, and market development, the policy is expected to guide the long-term growth, competitiveness, and international positioning of Pakistan’s olive industry.
The event was also attended by Ms. Alia Shahid, Additional Secretary, Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Government of Pakistan, who appreciated the remarkable progress achieved by the sector and acknowledged the value of the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and Italy.
She noted that continued collaboration and institutional support are playing a vital role in strengthening capacities and creating new opportunities for sustainable growth across the olive value chain.
The five-day training programme, conducted in accordance with International Olive Council (IOC) standards, brings together participants drawn from across Pakistan, representing a diverse range of institutions and technical backgrounds. The initiative aims to transform Pakistan’s first National Reference Laboratory for Olive Oil Sensory Analysis into a fully operational centre of excellence and establish a sustainable foundation for national sensory panels and quality assurance mechanisms.
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Through the development of a highly qualified pool of sensory experts, the programme seeks to promote olive oil knowledge and culture while strengthening Pakistan’s capacity to meet internationally recognized quality standards.
With Pakistan’s olive sector entering a new phase characterized by stronger institutions, advanced technical capacities, and internationally aligned quality systems, the training represents another milestone in the long-standing partnership between Italy and Pakistan, a partnership increasingly translating scientific cooperation into lasting economic opportunities and global competitiveness.
