Pakistan and Italy have formalized a $21.6 million concessional loan agreement designed to bolster Pakistan’s agriculture sector by advancing technical and vocational training. The agreement was signed by Secretary Economic Affairs Muhammad Humair Karim alongside the Italian Ambassador.
The project aims to improve productivity and rural livelihoods by enhancing technical and vocational education within the agriculture sector. Training centers will be developed focusing on horticulture production, processing, and marketing, targeting crops such as olives, pistachios, dates, cherries, and others.
In a significant development, the initiative will merge Italian agricultural expertise with Pakistan’s farming potential to modernize the sector. The program plans to conduct 720 training courses, benefiting approximately 18,398 individuals. Furthermore, 11 standardized training curricula will be created specifically for agriculture.
As part of the project, twelve model orchards and nurseries will be established nationwide. Additionally, eight climate-resilient and eco-friendly villages will be developed to promote sustainable farming practices.
The initiative also includes the establishment of five agricultural processing units and two national centers dedicated to enhancing crop production. Notably, national centers for citrus production in Sargodha and date production in Turbat will be set up to support specialized agricultural development.
