City ReporterThe Department of Agriculture and Agribusiness Management University of Karachi and
Karachi Urban Agriculture Initiative (KUAI) signed Memorandum of Understanding which aimed to
improve Karachi's food security and alleviating malnutrition and undernourishment in Karachi's urban
masses via self-sustaining urban agriculture initiatives.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 utilizing local talent and resources, the solution may include
technologies such as hydroponics, aquaponic, aeroponic 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.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.
