KU signs MoU to improve food security in city

The University of Karachi (KU) agriculture and agribusiness management department and the Karachi Urban Agriculture Initiative (KUAI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which aims at improving food security in the city and alleviating malnutrition and undernourishment in its areas through self-sustaining urban agriculture initiatives.

According to a statement issued, the KU and KUAI are jointly committed to establish a research facility that develops solutions for conventional and non-conventional urban agriculture development of Pakistan by utilising local talents and resources. The solutions may include technologies such as hydroponics, aquaponic, aeroponic and vertical farming.

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

The parties have also agreed to jointly conduct research and execute projects for sustainable food farming in barren lands and arid regions. The KU agriculture and agribusiness management department would provide its expertise-based recommendations and input in research and development of new growing techniques for urban, rural and barren lands that include hydroponics in the first phase.

The KU department would also extend its support to provide generic and specialised formulas that pertain to growth and maximum yield production using specialised equipment and facilities.

KU Department of Agriculture and Agribusiness Management Chairperson Prof Dr Saboohi Raza, and KUAI founder and Chief Executive Officer Azhar Ali Ahmed signed the MoU at the Office of Research Innovation and Commercialisation (ORIC) at KU.

ORIC Director Prof Dr Aliya Rehman, Research Operations and Development Manager Dr Asma Tabassum and KUAI Operations Director Anas Abdul Basit Farooqui were also present on the occasion.