RAWALAKOT: The department of Plant Pathology at the University of Poonch Rawalakot conducted a two-day training workshop on the promotion of mushroom cultivation and seed production.
The training workshop extensively covered mushroom cultivation, production techniques, marketing, seed preparation, and their availability. The workshop was attended by agricultural experts, students, progressive farmers from all over the country.
Experts said that mushroom cultivation can become a thriving industry in the future, taking into account the favorable seasonal conditions in Azad Kashmir. Moreover, for small landholding farmers, it can create opportunities for better income with minimal expenses, which will improve their standard of living.
Dr. Nasir Rahim, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, said that according to the Vice-Chancellor’s vision, the Faculty of Agriculture is providing plate farms for various agricultural institutes and is also actively involved in introducing modern agricultural technologies to the farmers of Azad Kashmir and providing technical assistance through a relevant and comprehensive methodology. He thanked all agricultural experts, participants, and the Plant Pathology Department for their positive contribution to achieving self-sufficiency in the agricultural sector in the future.
Amjad Tahir representative of the National Bank of Pakistan, said that the National Bank is providing easy loan facilities to promote self-sufficiency in agriculture. Dr. Naveed Islam, Islamia University Bahawalpur, presented the department with a gift of modern automation system as a token of appreciation for their efforts in promoting technical assistance in the future.
The faculty members of the Faculty of Agriculture and the Plant Pathology Department expressed their gratitude for this gesture. At the end of the training workshop, the participants and local farmers commended the university’s initiative in achieving economic self-sufficiency and betterment of farmers, as well as their important step towards eliminating unemployment. They expressed hope that the university will continue such initiatives in the future.
Prof. Dr. Tariq Mukhtar, Faculty of Agriculture, Mehr Ali Shah Agricultural University, Rawalpindi, Prof. Dr. Naveed Islam, Chairman of the Plant Pathology Department, Islamia University Bahawalpur, Dr. Gulshan Arshad, Associate Professor, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Muhammad Kashif Harticulture Specialist, Agricultural Development Bank, Dr. Amjad Shahzad Gondal, General secretary Society for Plant Protection Pakistan and Dr. Aqleem Abbas, Karakaram International University of Gilgit attended the workshop.
The training workshop participants congratulated Dr. Naseer Rahim, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, and Dr. Raees Ahmed, Incharge of the Plant Pathology Department, Dr. Muhammad Tariq Khan, Raja Basharat Hamood, and their team on the successful organization of the workshop. They said that organizing such workshops for small landholding farmers in Azad Kashmir are essential for their economic self-sufficiency.
