TİKA’s “Mushroom Biotechnology Laboratory” Opens in Pakistan

The Mushroom Biotechnology Laboratory, established by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan’s Azad Jammu and Kashmir region, was inaugurated during a formal ceremony.

The opening ceremony, held at the Goira Agricultural Complex, was attended by Azad Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Minister, Serdar Mir Ekber Han; TİKA’s Head of the East and South Asia, Pacific and Latin America Department, Dursun Ali Yaşacan; TİKA’s Coordinator in Islamabad, Muhsin Balcı; officials from the Ministry of Agriculture; and numerous farmers.

Speaking at the ceremony, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Minister Ekber Han emphasized that the region’s cool climate and nutrient-rich soils are ideal for mushroom cultivation. He noted that the laboratory established by TİKA will equip local residents with the knowledge and skills needed for mushroom farming. Additionally, the mushroom seeds produced at the facility will be distributed to the community through grant programs, significantly contributing to the growth of the local economy.

In his speech, TİKA’s Head of the East and South Asia, Pacific and Latin America Department, Dursun Ali Yaşacan, emphasized TİKA’s contributions to enhancing production capacities in the region. He underscored that the project provides both economic and social benefits. Yaşacan added that increasing technical capacity, producing mushroom cultures, and conducting training programs will help raise awareness among farmers about the potential of mushroom cultivation.