MoU signed for improving Karachi’s food security

KARACHI: The Department of Agriculture and Agribusiness Management University of Karachi and Karachi Urban Agriculture Initiative (KUAI ) signed a memorandum of understanding which aimed to improve Karachi’s food security.

The KU and KUAI are jointly committed to establishing a research facility that develops solutions for conventional and non-conventional urban agriculture development of Pakistan by utilizing local talent and resources, the solution may include technologies such as hydroponics, aquaponic, aerologic and vertical farming.

As per the MoU, both parties would work jointly to build smart sustainable advanced growing systems, focus yield and quality food production for masses at affordable cost and minimize the cost of production by building efficient growing systems.

Under the MoU, they have also agreed to jointly conduct research and execute projects for sustainable food farming in barren lands and arid regions.

The Department of Agriculture and Agribusiness Management will provide its expertise-based recommendations and input in research and development of new growing techniques for urban, rural and barren lands that include hydroponic (in the first phase) and further extended to aero, aquaponics and vertical farming.

The Department of Agriculture and Agribusiness Management will also extend its support to provide generic and specialized formulas (recipes) that pertain to the growth and maximum yield production using specialized equipment and facilities.

The departmental students will be available to execute the assigned project(s) and get maximum exposure and provide their individual inputs that are mutually useful for both parties.

Students will report their piece of research in written, video format which will be archived and shared with both parties for future references.

The Chairperson Department of Agriculture and Agribusiness Management KU Professor Dr Saboohi Raza and the Founder and the Chief Executive Officer KUAI Azhar Ali Ahmed signed the MoU at the Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization KU.