Doha: The Ministry of Municipality has launched a hands-on initiative on the use of mycorrhizal fungi for vegetable crops aimed at facilitating sustainable food security. Held by the Ministry’s Agricultural Research Department, the event featured agricultural engineers, experts, farm owners and the Ministry’s agricultural sector workers.

According to Qatar News Agency, the agenda included presenting practical models of the plant research department’s advanced agricultural research aimed at leveraging local root fungi to improve agricultural production, reduce costs and increase profits, boost biological safety and ensure products free of pesticide and fertilizer residues.

In this context, Assistant Director of the Agricultural Research Department Hassan Al Asmakh stressed the importance of using modern technologies in developing local agricultural production and working on the sustainability of resources to achieve food security and reach self-sufficiency, especially in light of interconnected global challenges such as poverty, lack of food security, climate change, and loss of agricultural biodiversity.

Meanwhile, Dr. Naima Abdel Halim, an agricultural affairs expert and head of research at the Agricultural Research Department, explained that the mycorrhizal fungi are the most important microorganisms in the agricultural ecosystem, as it plays a pivotal role in improving plant health and soil fertility.