Lahore: (February 22,  2018): USAID’s Punjab Enabling Environment Project (PEEP) signed a grant agreement with the Barani (BARI), Chakwal, to establish a Center of Excellence for Olive Research & Training (CEFORT). USAID Provincial Director Lea Swanson, and high-ranking officials from Punjab Agriculture Department along with other stakeholders involved in the project, witnessed the signing.

“The establishment of CEFORT will fuel the growth of the olive sector in Punjab by supporting scientific research, and training olive farmers on how to boost the health and quality of their crops. It represents the collective efforts of USAID and the Punjab Agriculture Department to enable olive farmers and agribusinesses to capitalize on the potential offered by the emerging olive sector,” said Ms. Swanson.

The center for excellence will support scientific and technical research on olive farming, provide advisory and extension services to olive farmers, and serve as a resource center for olive processing and value addition. The center will also offer training and business development services for extension workers and farmers.

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