Daily Times

Edible oil is Pakistan’s largest food import commodity, ranking second on the list after petroleum and its products, and third amongst the largest edible oil importers of the world. Its import bill jumped from US$ 615 million in 2006 to 2 billion and straight away to 3 billion in the year 2014 and 15 respectively. With a five percent increase in consumption and five percent price hike in global markets each year, it will jump above seven billion dollars in the year 2020-21. In a situation, where agriculture is claimed to be the backbone of the economy, having millions of acres of cultivable wastelands with a hard working farm force and professionals, and hundreds of researched success stories before our eyes, is deplorable.

According to the Pakistan Oilseed Development Board (PODB) an attached department of the Ministry of National Food Security & Research (MNFS&R) Government of Pakistan –working for the promotion of oilseed crops in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and federal areas- the total national consumption including 10 percent industrial use was 2.539 million tons against the domestic production of 0.684 million tons during the year 2014. Growing population, expanding urbanization, rising income levels, shifts in consumer taste from the home kitchen to restaurant, fast foods, coupled with limited availability of animal fats and most importantly its unwise or excessive use has increased the magnitude of imports to 40 million tons today, that was less than 0.5 million tons in the 1980s. The per capita consumption that was less than 2 kg in the year 1980, has now reached 17 kg per annum. With the demand increasing on a regular basis and the local edible oil sector almost nonfunctional, the imports will continue to increase and so will foreign exchange spending.

To promote local oilseed production, the Government of Pakistan launched various programs in the country . In 1977, the Pakistan Edible Oil Corporation (PEOC) was established under the Ministry of Industries with a mandate to initiate work on the promotion of oilseed crops in the country, for the first time. PEOC was dissolved after two years of spade work in 1979 a Seed Division was established in the Ghee Corporation of Pakistan (GCP), within the same ministry, to deal with crops like sunflowers, safflowers and soybeans. Moreover it also handles the distribution of imported and local sowing seeds directly to the growers; from the procurement of produce at their doorstep to the extraction of oil from the farm produce, purchased from farmers. This organization delivered goods efficiently, taking into account their full involvement, concerns, responsibility and authority on the subject single handedly. After establishing solid production, supply and marketing chains in potential niches -Especially sunflowers in Punjab &Sind and soybeans in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa- the Seed Division was wound up in 1993. Parallel program was initiated in the Ministry of Food& Agriculture when a five year mega project for oilseed promotion titled ‘National Oilseed Development Project (NODP)’ was approved by the World Bank in, 1987 that continued till, 1995.

The status of the olive valley in Sangbhatti Mardan must be upgraded to the standards of the International Olives Research Institute, on the patterns of Izmir Turkey and with technical support from countries such as Iran and Afghanistan

In 1995, activities of the GCP Seed Division and that of NODP were sustained through the Pakistan Oilseed Development Board (PODB) that was constituted under the Ministry of Food & Agriculture after the completion of the project and privatization of the Ghee Corporation of Pakistan. PODB introduced Canola cultivation on marginal lands otherwise these lands were not ideal for other crops that were requiring more input such as water. Apart from working on seasonal oilseed crops, it also embarked upon perennial oil bearing trees like olives and oil-palm. Demonstrations on the cultivable wastelands of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Potohar and some parts of Balochistan are success stories of olive plantations in the country. Same is the case for oil-palm plantations on the costal belt of Sind and Balochistan as well. Though there are some mishaps and failures too, but that is a part of taking risks.

It was PODB that hosted the D8 countries high professionals’ seminar on olive and saffron in 2007, agreeing to keep olive production and marketing mutually interactive. University Researchers were benefiting from olive valleys that were well equipped with the needed facilities to explore different aspects of the tree.

PODB was wound up on June 30, 2011 under the 18th amendment of the constitution. It was restored in the year 2013 at a reduced level in federal areas only. To bring tabdili or change, it is suggested that PODB may be fully restored to its status, prior to June 30, 2011 and it must be fully staffed and funded, giving it authority and autonomy in its functioning. Strong collaboration with provincial systems and patterns will be needed. The 150 edible oil industrial units may also be given opportunities to play their role in the research and development of oilseed in accordance to their local conditions. Some part of the profit can be dedicated to this activity and each unit will establish an oilseed research and development centre in their source.

Technical support from our neighbouring country; the Islamic Republic of Iran can be easily sought, particularly in growing olives and saffron.  They have extensive practical experience in both crops. Iran is said to be the cradle of ancient civilizations and the native land of olives. This will enhance our mutual cooperation in many other sectors too, once the contacts are established and reciprocated.

The status of the olive valley in Sangbhatti Mardan must be upgraded to the standards of the International Olives Research Institute, on the patterns of Izmir Turkey and with technical support from countries such as Iran and Afghanistan. Afghanistan too, has worked on olive production during the 80s. Jalalabad was home to olives, before wars and where bumper olive crop were harvested in the Nangarhar Province in, 2017. Youth and unemployed professionals can be organized and involved in the sector. Non productive lands can be allotted them, with interest free loans under certain conditions to develop olive orchards and grow oilseeds crops. It is a matter of food security, economic prosperity and self-sufficiency. The Federal Government could even involve provincial institutions in order to handle the critical conditions of the edible oil sector. A national seminar on oilseed crops can also be organized in Islamabad for acomprehensive consultation with all stakeholders. Most importantly it would be wonderful if Imran Khan could launch a “grow a dollar” and “save a dollar” campaign in the width and breath, of Pakistan. This will work.

The writer is an Agricultural Researcher, having long association with oilseed sector. Email fmzahidswat@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, September 1^st 2018.