PHA plans olive cultivation at 250-acre orchard.

LAHORE -- The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) of Lahore is in the process of adopting an ambitious business model for the organisation to make it self-sustainable and reduce its dependency on public funding.

PHA has taken several measures in recent months, including the establishment of the provincial metropolis' largest government-owned commercial nursery, said a spokesperson for PHA here Sunday.

This facility, covering over nine acres, accommodates a wide variety of seedlings, saplings, trees, shrubs, and other plant materials. Through this initiative, the authority aims to reduce horticulture procurement expenses, which constitute a substantial portion of its budget.

Separately, PHA, following the directives of Director General Muhammad Tahir Wattoo, is developing a proposal for large-scale commercial olive cultivation at a 250-acre fruit garden near the airport. The sunny weather of Lahore makes it suitable for edible olive farming, which requires a warm and temperate environment.

The spokesperson emphasised that such a move would be a wise investment for PHA in terms of wealth generation...