Goumbook Announces Winners Of MENAT Regenerative Agriculture Programme

Goumbook, a social enterprise focused on sustainability and climate action, has announced the winners of its MENAT Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme on the occasion of the International Day of Biological Diversity. The programme aims to promote regenerative agriculture solutions in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT) region through research, science, and nature-based innovation. With over 158 applications from 18 countries, the programme has received a tremendous response, highlighting the growing interest in regenerative agriculture in the region.

The winners, chosen in three categories, will receive financial grants, incubation opportunities, and access to a supportive stakeholder community to help them scale their solutions and contribute to the sustainability and food security efforts in the MENAT region.

The winners in the Organic Fertilizers category are Lara Hussein and her team from The Waste Lab in the UAE. Their solution focuses on rescuing food waste and producing compost to build healthy soil.

In the Minimizing Chemical Footprint category, the winners are Katya Aguilar Perez and her team from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in KSA. Their solution involves smart encapsulation of plant growth factor to enhance germination in wheat seeds. Doha Ibrahim and her team from Heliopolis University in Egypt won the Biofertilizers category with their solution, Cyanoboost, which promotes a transition to regenerative farming using biofertilizers.

The winners will receive financial grants of $10,000 each, along with incubation opportunities and access to a supportive stakeholder community. These resources will enable them to develop and scale their innovative solutions, contributing to real-world impact and addressing the agricultural challenges in the MENAT region. The programme aims to drive awareness of regenerative agriculture, support the knowledge economy, and bridge the gap between academia and the private sector to help these solutions succeed.

The winners expressed their gratitude for the programme and the opportunities it has provided. Lara Hussein from The Waste Lab highlighted the critical resources, knowledge, and networks they have gained through the programme, which will enhance their impact and nature-based solutions. Katya Aguilar Perez from KAUST KSA emphasized the importance of producing local agricultural products in the MENAT region and supporting the new generation of women in science. Doha Ibrahim from Heliopolis University appreciated the knowledge and resources the programme has provided to promote sustainable agricultural practices and integrate them with entrepreneurship.

Goumbook's partners and supporters, including HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), and the European Institute of Technology Food (EIT Food), also expressed their support for the programme and its impact on socio-ecological avenues in the region. They emphasized the importance of regenerative agriculture in promoting food and water security and mitigating climate change.

The Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme focuses on early-stage research and nature-based solutions that can be scaled and accessible to small and medium farmers in the MENAT region. By empowering researchers, students, and entrepreneurs, the programme aims to address fundamental agricultural challenges and contribute to a more resilient agricultural future. With the support of Goumbook and its partners, these innovative solutions have the potential to make a significant impact on the region's sustainability and food security efforts.

For more information about the Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme and the winning solutions, visit the Goumbook website.