CHAKWAL: Spanish Ambassador Carlos Morales on Thursday vowed to continue support to the cultivation of olive in Pakistan.

Mr Morales visited Barani Agricultural Research Institute (BA RI) where he observed the research activities.

Dr Mohammad Tariq, the director of the institute, briefed Mr Morales about the research activities.

The ambassador also held a meeting with experts and pledged that his country would continue its support to strengthen the olive farming in Punjab, particularly in the Potohar region.

He also visited olive orchards and nurseries.

Later, he planted an olive plant in the memorial block of the institute.

The Punjab government is distributing free olive saplings among the local farmers in a bid to turn the Potohar region into an olive valley.

Spain is a major importer of olive oil in the world.

A major chunk of olive saplings being distributed in the Potohar region has been imported from Spain.