Karachi (Staff Reporter) : Pakistan Agriculture and Horticulture Forum (PAHF) and Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) signed a Letter of Agreement (LOA) to establish cooperation for the development of a state-of-the-art mushroom cultivation laboratory in Agro Export Processing Karachi. Senior Vice President Pakistan Agriculture and Horticulture Forum Khalid Ijaz Qureshi and Director General of Park Southern Zone Agricultural Research Center Dr. Zakir Hussain Dhari were present on the occasion. Other dignitaries were also present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Senior Vice President PAHF said that mushroom cultivation in Pakistan can not only become a source of income for farmers but also earn substantial foreign exchange from its export as Pakistan is an agricultural country with a large proportion of its population engaged in the agriculture sector. He said that mushroom production is recognized as an emerging agribusiness in Pakistan with a wide scope for development. Production is recognized as an emerging agribusiness in Pakistan with a huge potential for growth. Due to changing dietary patterns, rapid urbanization and increasing demand for organic and functional foods, mushrooms are gaining importance not only as a delicious food but also for their nutritional and medicinal properties. At the same time, mushroom cultivation is becoming a multi-billion dollar industry globally and Pakistan is on the verge of new investment opportunities in this new era. On the occasion of the ceremony, Dr. Zakir Hussain Dhari, Director General of Park Southern Zone Agricultural Research Center, said that through modern research and innovation in the agricultural sector, we can compete with the world, for which PARC is offering its services because mushroom cultivation in Pakistan can not only become a new source of income for farmers but can also play an important role in fulfilling nutritional needs. He said that mushrooms are rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, which are beneficial for human health. Its cultivation does not require much land or water, but is low-cost and It is possible even with limited resources, while its promotion will increase employment opportunities in rural areas and foreign exchange can also be earned through exports, which will be beneficial for the country’s economy. Dr. Zakir Hussain Dhari said that mushrooms can be cultivated on wheat straw, corn husk, sugarcane husk, rice husk, cotton waste and sawdust, which requires less land, while in a controlled indoor environment supports vertical farming and high-yield models. Local production is less than demand, forcing the country to import processed mushrooms, especially canned and dried, from China and other sources. He said that the planned mushroom cultivation laboratory will serve as a knowledge hub for farmers, entrepreneurs and exporters, which will enable the production of high-quality mushrooms for both local consumption and international markets. With its favorable climate, abundant raw materials, growing domestic demand and strong export potential, Pakistan is well positioned to transform mushroom cultivation into a profitable agribusiness industry, while strategic initiatives such as this collaboration can create employment opportunities, increase exports and significantly contribute to food security and nutrition.
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