Today at 11 am, PHDEC conducted a webinar on “Green Defence: Microbial Biofungicides for Food Security and Sustainable Horticulture” aimed to address growing challenges of food security in the context of rising global populations and the need for sustainable agricultural practices.
Dr. Zulqarnain provided a comprehensive overview of how plant diseases, which account for up to 40% of crop losses globally, are a significant threat to food production. The discussion centered on the rising use of microbial biofungicides—derived from natural organisms like bacteria and fungi—as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fungicides. These biofungicides offer multiple advantages, including reduced toxicity, minimal environmental impact, and lower risk of resistance development among pathogens.
The session concluded with an emphasis on integrating biofungicides into Pakistan’s horticultural sector to meet growing food demands, highlighting the potential for research partnerships and policy advocacy. A large number of stakeholders including growers, farmers, processors, academia, R&D and general people participated in the webinar.
