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Samantha Kayruz, Director of Strategy and Sustainability Impact at Goumbook.
Our reporter, bay today
The Regenerative Agriculture Venture Program (RAVP), a pioneering initiative launched by Goumbook in partnership with HSBC Bank Middle East Limited and Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), and supported by the European Institute of Food Technology (EIT Food), has reached A major milestone in the first year of launch, attracting 158 registrations from more than 18 countries in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT) region and beyond.
These registration submissions from researchers, students and entrepreneurs highlight the urgent need to support regional innovators to address food security threats, agricultural challenges and climate change issues.
The Regenerative Agriculture Entrepreneurship Program is a unique initiative in the MENAT region focused on early stage research and nature-based solutions integrating regenerative agriculture practices. These solutions are designed to be scalable and accessible, especially to small and medium-sized farmers who make up 60-80% of the current agricultural landscape.
The program aims to support and enhance the skills of researchers, students and entrepreneurs solving fundamental agricultural challenges in the MENAT region. These regenerative agriculture solutions address a variety of issues including soil health, food security, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, climate change mitigation and adaptation, carbon sequestration, combating salinization and desertification, improving yields and nutrition, improving crops Resilience, use of natural fertilizers and pest control for social welfare.
The overwhelming response to the high-quality submissions from top research institutions and independent applicants reflects the collective ambition to address the agricultural and climate change challenges unique to the MENAT region. Applications received came from 18 countries, of which Saudi Arabia and Egypt each accounted for 24%, the United Arab Emirates accounted for 19% of the applications received, Turkey accounted for 10%, and Morocco and Algeria each accounted for 5%. Demographics show a balanced gender participation, with 43% female and 57% male, demonstrating diversity and inclusive representation.
After a validation process, applicants participated in a virtual bootcamp to work with experts, mentors and entrepreneurs to explore the potential of regenerative agriculture from an environmental, social and economic perspective. Boot camp sessions cover ideation, converting research proposals into commercial pitches, and exploring financing mechanisms to support regenerative agriculture solutions.
Samantha Kayruz, director of strategy and sustainability impact at Goumbook, said: “The Regenerative Agriculture Entrepreneurship Program has become an important platform to support early-stage regional research and innovation work to address agricultural challenges and opportunities in the MENAT region. The diversity and talent of applicants is a testament to the solutions Fundamental needs and collaborative efforts required by our region’s pressing environmental and social challenges.”
Kayruz emphasized Goumbook’s commitment to empowering researchers, scientists, students and entrepreneurs in the region to support their research, science and nature-based early-stage solutions. She called on stakeholders across sectors to support the realization of their vision, capacity and capability building, and help them expand their impact. She further emphasized the importance of reducing reliance on imported food systems innovation and research; incubating and supporting our regional research and development efforts to address larger food security issues while addressing unique regional challenges and opportunities.
“We are equally passionate about raising awareness and movement for regenerative agriculture in the MENAT region and helping to identify regionally appropriate practices and the environmental, social and economic benefits regenerative agriculture provides,” she added.
The semi-finalists were selected based on their ability to address agricultural challenges, food security and climate change in the MENAT region. Their projects span a wide range of innovations, including new ways to improve soil health, agricultural waste recycling applications, varieties that enhance crop and climate resilience, reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals, addressing salinity and water scarcity issues, and cutting-edge technology innovations . The top 21 semi-finalists submitted initial business pitches for evaluation by a panel of experts. The next phase will provide the top 10 finalists with skills in entrepreneurship, intellectual property protection, promotion and investment strategies to further develop their business solutions.
Additionally, Goumbook’s regenerative agriculture program announced the formation of its inaugural judging panel. The committee, composed of diverse regional and international subject matter experts, will evaluate the semifinalists’ solutions and select the top 10 finalists.
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