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Newsletter Volume 28 – September 2023
Comments Off on Newsletter Volume 28 – September 2023Dear Reader,
This is volume number 28 of Organic Egypt project newsletter. It reviews our activities in September 2023 and illustrates all interventions conducted with our partners, the Integral Development Action of Minia (IDAM) and Demeter Egypt (EBDA).
We hope you enjoy the read!
TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS FOR PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS
Training on EoL Standard
Organic Egypt organized a two-day training for the partner association EBDA on the Economy of Love standards and the microloans that are included. The focal point of this training was to learn the basic conditions for lending and also discussing different loan systems like (renewable energy and irrigation systems loans).
Additionally, the EBDA engineers learned how they can transfer this knowledge and information to the farmers. The training was supported by practical illustrations and dynamic discussions and was a very interactive training with high engagement and interest from the trainees.
Training on Organic Animal Husbandry and beekeeping
A three-day training on organic animal husbandry and beekeeping was organized for IDAM team. The training is part of the year-long organic agricultural extension diploma program developed by Organic Egypt, covering crucial topics in organic agriculture. This program aims to empower professionals in organic agriculture and promote sustainable practices in the field.
With the participation of 18 engineers and facilitators from IDAM, the training focused on the different methods of raising farm animals and knowledge of organic feeding methods as well as common diseases that infect farm animals. Besides, the organic practices for beekeeping.
Training on Agricultural Cooperative
Organic Egypt conducted a four-day workshop for its partner IDAM on the topic of agricultural cooperatives including; its principles, how to establish it and how to run it. Over three intensive days, participants delved into cooperative principles, values, relevant laws, and regulations through interactive group work. The fourth day included a visit to well-established cooperatives in Fayoum, offering insights into agricultural, oriental carpets, and textile cooperatives.
NEW INNOVATIVE SERVICES OF OUR PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS
Farmer Field School on IDAM Demo plots
The Agricultural Learning Center (ALC) of IDAM aims to showcase sustainable/organic agricultural cultivation methods. With the support of Organic Egypt, IDAM team designed 2 demo plots of ½ feddan of basil and ½ feddan of sesame for the summer season cultivation.
This September, the fourth and last farmer field school for the summer season was held with 30 IDAM members. The topics of this farmer field school were about the harvest and post harvest procedures aside to the specifications needed for exportation, the school included a practical part on how to dry sesame and basil beside how to use the sieving technique! IDAM staff as well as the farmers gave very positive feedback on the farmer field schools for this summer season!
Economy of Love Carbon Credit (EoL CC) – Updates
Recently, EoL has successfully sold 150 voluntary carbon credits. The credits are representing 150 tons of sequestered and avoided CO2. EBDA is directing the revenue of these credits to 15 EoL-certified farms across Egypt.
This is one of the first bigger offtakers for the newly onboarded credits demonstrating the value of its carbon scheme and the impact of its farmers on climate change mitigation. By selling carbon credits, EoL not only generates additional income for its farmers, but also creates awareness and trust among consumers and producers about the benefits of regenerative organic agriculture. EoL believes that through a transparent economic system, responsible consumers and producers can actively protect nature, and ensure that every person across the supply chain is fairly compensated and protected from exploitation.
TRAINING AND LEARNING MATERIAL CREATED WITH OUR PARTNERS
Recipe Videos for consumer awareness
Organic Egypt in cooperation with RDNA Food store, is producing recipe videos to raise awareness on natural, local and organic food. The recipe videos are a short, fun, visual way to communicate with the consumers and easy to do at home. This month, many different, informative and funny recipes were released. They included Mango Red Pepper Salad, Mango Prickly Pear Smoothie, Kmt Burger, Watermelon Mint, Chicken Pesto Pasta, Mango Basil & Lemon Drink, Meatballs Spaghetti. All recipe videos can be found on Organic Egypt and RDNA social media platforms.
Video on the success story of EBDA members
In light of Organic Egypt and EBDA cooperation to raise awareness, several videos on the benefits of organic and biodynamic farming were produced. 2 videos on the success stories and inspirations of EBDA members, sharing their stories, challenges and benefits to inspire other farmers to convert their farms to a sustainable agricultural practice were shooted and published.
Also 2 videos about the benefits of biological fertilizers and how to use it were shooted and published. The videos can be watched on the social media channels of EBDA and Organic Egypt.
“Grow Organic” Competition
Organic Egypt Project, in collaboration with the Faculty of Organic Agriculture at Heliopolis University, conducted the second round of the “Grow Organic” competition. The competition aimed to bridge the gap between scientific research institutions, universities, and Egyptian farmers by creating simplified arabic organic manuals. The competition was open to students and graduates of Egyptian universities, and attracted 260 participants from 22 different universities across the country. A committee of experts in organic agriculture evaluated the submitted manuals and selected six winners, each of whom created a manual on a different crop. The list of crops, from which the participants of the competition could choose, were selected by the farmers of our partners association.
The winners of the competition are:
– Nour Allah Khaled, a student from Heliopolis University, created a manual on “Cultivation and Production of Organic Chamomile”. She won the first place in the student category.
– Muhammad Hussein, a student from Ain Shams University, created a manual on “Cultivation and Production of Organic Thyme”. He won the second place in the student category.
– Ali Hassan, a student from Alexandria University, created a manual on “Cultivation and Production of Organic Oranges”. He won the third place in the student category.
– Al-Shaima Wael, a graduate from Ain Shams University, created a manual on “Growing and Producing Organic Tomatoes”. She won the first place in the graduates category.
– Rana Hani, a graduate from Cairo University, created a manual on “Organic Olive Production”. She won the second place in the graduates category.
– Fathi Yacoub, a graduate from Benha University, created a manual on “The Cultivation of Organic Palm Dates”. He won the third place in the graduates category.
The manuals created by the winners of the competition will be published and distributed to farmers and other stakeholders in the organic sector and will be made available online on the project’s website and social media platforms.
EDUCATIONAL AND AWARENESS RAISING CAMPAIGNS
Social Initiative Forum “Technology in Agriculture”
The World Social Initiative Forum (SIF) under the theme “Technology in Agriculture” was held in September at the Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development. It was a joint initiative between the Heliopolis University and the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, which supports medium-sized companies from Bavaria and Egypt to connect and come into business relations and get access to international markets. The event, which was attended by 200 participants, centered around the crucial role of Technology in Agriculture within the context of international cooperation and its impact on Sustainable Development. Through discussions on innovative agricultural technologies, educational initiatives, and collaborative research efforts, the event aimed to foster new ideas and partnerships. By engaging local and international organizations, companies, and individuals, it was aimed to drive practical solutions and support sustainable development practices in agriculture for a greener and more prosperous future.
The event included honoring the winners of “Grow Organic” competition, followed by speakers representing German and Egyptian companies. The day concluded with a panel discussion on the role of technology in agriculture.
NETWORKING ACTIVITIES OF ORGANIC EGYPT PROJECT AND PARTNERS
Participation at “Partnership Development for Climate Adaptation in Arabic States” Event
Representatives from Organic Egypt project attended an event titled: Partnership Development for Climate Adaptation in Arabic States, at the American University in Cairo. The event was jointly organized by J-PAL, a global research center working to reduce poverty, the Arab Water Council, National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development, and the Ministry of Planning and Economic development and aimed at addressing the escalating effects of climate change and environmental degradation.
Organic Egypt team attended different panel discussions and interactive sessions aimed to identify environmental challenges and share climate adaptation solutions. Organic Egypt team had the opportunity to connect with different stakeholders and expand their professional network.
Newsletter Volume 27 –August 2023
Comments Off on Newsletter Volume 27 –August 2023Dear Reader,
This is volume number 27 of Organic Egypt project newsletter. It reviews our activities of August 2023 and illustrates all interventions conducted with our partners, the Integral Development Action of Minia (IDAM) and Demeter Egypt (EBDA).
We hope you enjoy the read!
TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS FOR PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS
Training on integrated pest and disease management
Organic Egypt organized a one day training for the partner association EBDA on integrated pest and disease management. The focal point of this training was how to identify causal agents of plant diseases, how to make accurate diagnosis, and which are the common disease symptoms and signs.
The goal was to empower EBDA engineers to assist farmers in implementing organic and demeter standards. Also how to distinguish between disease disorders and viral diseases which both look the same in symptoms was discussed and how to best monitor the crops to notice the pests and disease as quickly as possible. The training was supported by practical illustrations and dynamic discussions and was a very interactive training with a high engagement and interest from the trainees to learn how to best support their farmers.
Training on Soil Sampling and Evaluation
A training on proper soil sampling and evaluation was organized by Organic Egypt for its partners. The training emphasized on the significance of precise soil sampling for evaluating soil suitability and crop selection. Soil morphology, topography, and proper sampling area selection were discussed. Depth aligned with root depth was advised, while avoiding certain zones. The training included a practical field demonstration and the engineers had the chance to discuss their questions with the trainer.
Training on Soil Microbiology and biofertilization
A three-day training on soil microbiology and biofertilization was organized for IDAM team. The training is part of the year-long organic agricultural extension diploma program developed by Organic Egypt, covering crucial topics in organic agriculture. This program aims to empower professionals in organic agriculture and promote sustainable practices in the field.
With the participation of 18 engineers and facilitators from IDAM, the training focused on soil microorganisms, biofertilizers, and the significant role of soil microbiology on soil fertility, rather than the use of synthetic fertilizers that have adverse impact.
NEW INNOVATIVE SERVICES OF OUR PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS
Farmer field school on IDAM Demo plots
The Agricultural Learning Center (ALC) of IDAM aims to showcase sustainable/organic agricultural cultivation methods. With the support of Organic Egypt, IDAM team designed 2 demo plots of ½ feddan of basil and ½ feddan of sesame for the summer season cultivation.
IDAM holds farmer field schools for its member farms on the demo plots, where the farmers have the opportunity to gain practical experience in organic cultivation of new crops they don’t know. The session this August focused on the biological control of pests and diseases, where farmers learned about disease diagnosis and controlling strategies. They also explored effective predator types for pest reduction. The upcoming September farmer field school will focus on harvest and storage techniques, marking the concluding session
New Economy of Love Carbon Credit (EoL CC)
Economy of Love has reached an important achievement, as the number of carbon credits issued to new and old member farmers increased to 137,101 tons of CO2 with an approximate market value of 4.8 million Euros as of August 2023. This impressive growth reflects the joint efforts of EoL’s farmers, companies, and consumers who are all committed to making a positive impact on the environment and increasing the well-being of farmers and communities.
TRAINING AND LEARNING MATERIAL CREATED WITH OUR PARTNERS
Recipe Videos for consumer awareness
Organic Egypt in cooperation with RDNA Food store, is producing recipe videos to raise awareness on natural, local and organic food. The recipe videos are a short, fun, visual way to communicate with the consumers and easy to prepare at home. The recipes this month included AL, Mango Lemon Basil, Chicken Pasta Pesto , KMT Burger Classic, Green Matcha Latte and Organic Greek Yogurt Parfait. All recipes videos can be watched on the social media platforms of RDNA and Organic Egypt.
Video on the success story of EBDA members
In light of Organic Egypt and EBDA cooperation to raise awareness, several videos on the benefits of organic and biodynamic farming were produced. A series of impactful videos (7) have been produced by EBDA, shedding light on the influence of organic agriculture on society. These videos include success stories like SEKEM products which is a member in EBDA, other member stories, challenges, and benefits that encourage fellow farmers to embrace sustainable practices. Additionally, videos on soil, carbon fixation, and biodynamic preparations offer valuable insights. Find these videos on EBDA and Organic Egypt’s social media platforms.
EDUCATIONAL AND AWARENESS RAISING CAMPAIGNS
Consumer Excursion
Consumer excursions are designed to bring consumers closer to farmers and producers. With our strategic partner RDNA we conduct monthly consumer-farmer excursions. The excursion this August was organized to Happy Farm in Badrashin, around 30 km south of Cairo in cooperation with Nawaya.
Nawaya ist a community-based network that produces & preserves Egyptian heritage food systems.
20 adults and 9 children joined this excursion. The program included a tour around the farm, tasting the 4 different mango varieties, with the opportunity to shop fresh mangos and dates directly from the farm. This was followed by an activity of producing Egyptian fresh cheese called “Bekhero” by local women in the Nawaya Community Kitchen. Lunch was cooked by the women and included delicious traditional dishes. The day was closed with petting the farm animals, and time for the kids on the playground.
Farmers and Processors Market
Organic Egypt in cooperation with RDNA, implements Farmers and Processors Markets in an open space at KMT house, Maadi in Cairo. The market this month took place on a sunny Saturday afternoon, and was dedicated to celebrate the mango harvest season. 7 vendors participated in this market with around 400 guests. The activities on that day included mango tastings and tasting competitions, and workshops.
ORGANIC EGYPT AS A SUSTAINABLE ENTITY
Meetings with the partners discussing the status of Organic Egypt sustainable entity
Organic Egypt’s dedication to sustaining its services after the project ends in November 2024 is continued through collaborative efforts with strategic partners. An agreement on the establishment of the Organic Egypt Foundation has been concluded, with meetings focusing on its activities for stakeholders in sustainable agriculture.
Together with our partners we took steps toward maintaining Organic Egypt’s sustainability. We started to have a series of meetings led by Dalia Hossam, Organic Egypt Facilitator, to work on building the Organic Egypt Foundation. Through brainstorming sessions regarding the foundation’s main activities which will serve all stakeholders who are involved in the sustainable agriculture sector.
Newsletter Volume 26 – July 2023
Comments Off on Newsletter Volume 26 – July 2023Dear Reader,
This is volume number 26 of Organic Egypt project newsletter. It reviews our activities in July 2023 and illustrates all interventions conducted with our partners, the Integral Development Action of Minia (IDAM) and Demeter Egypt (EBDA).
We hope you enjoy the read!
TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS FOR PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS
Communication training for EBDA engineers
In light of the cooperation between Organic Egypt project and the Egyptian Biodynamic Association (EBDA) a training on communication skills was conducted for 26 EBDA’s agricultural engineers. The training covered the general principles of the communication skills between employees themselves, and between employees and farmers.
As well as the keys for a successful teamwork. Furthermore, the training included discussions about organizing training programmes for farmers for helping them to shift from conventional farming to organic farming. The training was very interactive and the trainees were very engaged and interested to learn how to support their farmers.
IDAM strategy development workshop
Organic Egypt project organized a strategic planning workshop for its project partner, the Integral Development Action of Minia (IDAM). The workshop focused on crafting the strategy paper for IDAM’s agricultural program. The team developed a comprehensive and well-informed strategic plan with clear objectives and a logical framework (logframe) to guide the implementation of the program effectively
Training on Integrated Nutrition Management
A two day training on Integrated Nutrition Management was organized for IDAM team. The training is part of the year-long organic agricultural extension diploma program developed by Organic Egypt, covering crucial topics in organic agriculture. With the participation of 18 engineers and facilitators from IDAM, the training focused on soil microorganisms and biofertilizers.
The interactive nature of the sessions facilitated knowledge exchange, receiving positive feedback on the training’s quality and relevance. This initiative aims to empower professionals in organic agriculture and promote sustainable practices in the field.
NEW INNOVATIVE SERVICES OF OUR PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS
Farmer field school on IDAM Demo plots
The Agricultural Learning Center (ALC) of IDAM aims to showcase sustainable/organic agricultural cultivation methods. With the support of Organic Egypt, IDAM team designed 2 demo plots of ½ feddan basil and ½ feddan sesame for the summer season cultivation.
IDAM holds its farmer field school on the demo plots, the session in July focused on land fertilization techniques and the importance of implementing a suitable irrigation system. This marks the second farmer field school of the summer season sultivation, with around 30 farmers actively participating. The next session, planned for the end of August, will delve into pest and disease management topics
Economy of Love Carbon Credits (EoL CC)
With the support of Organic Egypt project, EBDA conducted an awareness-raising campaign to promote organic agriculture under the Economy of Love carbon credit standard in Beni Suef governorate. During the event, 30 EBDA farmers were awarded carbon credit certificates, which were verified and validated in June 2023. Moreover, 26 newly joined EBDA farmers have received funding as a prepayment for carbon credits earned through adopting organic agriculture practices. This funding serves as an incentive for them to engage in composting and tree planting initiatives. The event was accompanied by 50 neighboring farmers that are not members in EBDA, as a result, EBDA gained 30 new members who filled out the EBDA membership form after this event. It was a very successful awareness-raising campaign and is planned to be conducted in other governorates in the coming months.
TRAINING AND LEARNING MATERIAL CREATED WITH OUR PARTNERS
Recipe Videos for consumer awareness
Organic Egypt in cooperation with RDNA Food store, is producing recipe videos to raise awareness on natural, local and organic food. The recipe videos are a short, fun, visual way to communicate with the consumers and easy to do at home. The recipes this month included Grilled Mango with lemon zest, Mango Coconut Kefir Smoothie, Mango Oat Crumble, Mango Prickly Pear Smoothie, Mango Soup Indian Style, Mango tangy Sorbet, Mango are Pepper Salsa, Mango Roasted Almond Salad. Celebrating the mango season in Egypt!
Video on the success story of EBDA members
As part of the collaborative efforts between Organic Egypt and EBDA to promote awareness, a series of informative videos on the benefits of organic and biodynamic farming were created. The collection includes seven inspiring videos showcasing EBDA members’ success stories, highlighting the challenges they overcame, and the benefits they experienced through adopting sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, educational videos in Arabic were produced to support and educate farmers interested in transitioning to sustainable practices.
Competition for Organic Crop Manuals
Organic Egypt project and the Faculty of Organic Agriculture, Heliopolis University, hosted an informative online webinar on July 22 for “Grow Organic Competition 2” (Ezraa Odwy 2) applicants. The competition aims to create a simple Arabic organic manual to support farmers with scientific material. This webinar aimed to answer the questions of the applicants and to discuss the best way to create a manual with accurate and simplified agricultural information.
The webinar was moderated by Dr. Fawzi Abu Al-Abbas, Dean of the Faculty of Organic Agriculture at Heliopolis University, Dr. Shaimaa Hatab the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Oganic Agriculture, Heliopolis University, and Dr. Mazen Barakat, Professor of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Faculty of Organic Agriculture, Heliopolis University.
The session guided 33 participants on competition rules, manual criteria and submission deadline. Emphasis was on the manual criteria, which needs to be accessible to farmers with limited english or latin knowledge while maintaining scientific accuracy. The moderators also discussed the importance of agricultural extension in promoting organic agriculture in Egypt and how the manual can help and support the farmers. The webinar was an informative and interactive session that aimed to encourage and guide the applicants to create a high-quality organic manual.
Newsletter Volume 25 –June 2023
Comments Off on Newsletter Volume 25 –June 2023Dear Reader,
This is volume number 25 of Organic Egypt project newsletter. It reviews our activities in June 2023 and illustrates all interventions conducted with our partners, the Integral Development Action of Minia (IDAM) and Demeter Egypt (EBDA).
We hope you enjoy the read!
TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS FOR PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS
Training on Agricultural Cooperatives
Organic Egypt conducted a comprehensive training program on cooperatives, specifically tailored for its partner associations. The objective of the training was to enhance participants’ understanding of cooperative societies, enabling them to effectively engage with agricultural associations and farmers.
The training covered various aspects, including the history of the cooperative movement worldwide and the success stories of cooperative models from around the world. This exploration of global cooperative experiences provided valuable insights and inspiration for the association’s engineers to better facilitate effective communication with and between their members.
A total of 24 participants from EBDA and 9 employees from IDAM attended the training program. The trainer was Frank Bemmerlein, a highly experienced cooperative specialist with a remarkable track record of 20 years working with cooperatives in Africa and Germany. Bemmerlein’s engaging approach ensured a highly interactive training environment, in group activities, participants formed imaginary cooperatives, established values, work systems, and financial structures. These practical exercises provided participants with hands-on experience and further deepened their understanding of cooperative dynamics.
Marketing Training for IDAM
Organic Egypt project co-organized a training with the partner association IDAM, on marketing and advertising. The aim of the training was to sell the produce of IDAMs members and choose the best way to market it. Over the course of 3 days, 10 entrepreneurs from IDAM communities and 5 office members of IDAM, observed and learned how to develop a marketing strategy and how to add value to the products of IDAM members. The trainers from the Educational Institute of the Bavarian Economy (bbw GmbH), who facilitated the training agreed with the participants to first focus on raising awareness on the benefits of organic produce and not on selling the products. In the coming period, IDAM will produce videos and pictures showing the benefits of organic products and place public advertisements highlighting the values of organic farming.
IDAM will also give a brief introduction to organic farming and organic products at the beginning of each workshop or training they organize. Also IDAM will search for a permanent location for the products of their members, to be exhibited and sold. One of the participants published a post during the training, mentioning the benefits of organic honey that IDAM and IDAM members are producing. The audience interacted with her and asked to buy the product.
English Course IDAM
Organic Egypt supports the capacity building of the partner associations employees, for that, a 6-month English language course for IDAM employees was conducted. The course included methods and skills of writing emails in English, making reports and proposals. The program started in November 2022 with 11 IDAM employees, which all graduated in May and received their certification in June 2023. The participants have improved their language skills massively and were very grateful for this opportunity.
Training on Biological control
Organic Egypt project organized a training in biological control for its partner association IDAM. The 3 days training is part of the organic agricultural extension diploma that Organic Egypt is developing. The program will be held for approximately one year and consists of a series of modules with all relevant topics related to the extension work in organic agriculture.
18 engineers and facilitators from IDAM participated in the training and learned about the principles of biological control in organic agriculture. The training was very interactive and engaging, as the participants had the opportunity to ask questions, share their experience in insect and disease management in their fields. The feedback from the participants was very positive, as they expressed their satisfaction with the quality and relevance of the training program.
NEW INNOVATIVE SERVICES OF OUR PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS
Economy of Love Carbon Credit (EoL CC)
The Economy of Love carbon registry made progress in its efforts to combat climate change by significantly increasing the amount of carbon registered from 56,000 to 84,000 tons.
This achievement was made possible through the validation and verification round conducted by the VVB (Validation & Verification Body) of the Center of Organic Agriculture in Egypt (COAE). The process ensured the accuracy and credibility of the registered carbon data, therefore reinforcing the effectiveness of the Economy of Love’s mission to promote regenerative practices and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester CO2.
Farmer field school on IDAM Demo plots
The Agricultural Learning Center (ALC) of IDAM aims to showcase sustainable/organic agricultural cultivation methods. With the support of Organic Egypt, IDAM team designed 2 demo plots of ½ feddan basil and ½ feddan sesame for the summer season cultivation.
The first farm field school for the summer season was held last month with around 30 farmers of IDAM. The topic of this farm field school was how to prepare the land, how to establish a nursery and how important it is to establish the nursery on time to not affect the yield and the vitality of the seedling. Further, the first growth stages of basil and sesame were discussed along with the water needs of each crop. The next farmer field school will be in the end of July/beginning of August, covering the topics of pest and disease management.
Effective Microorganism (EM) research project
The EM trial’s second season began with cultivating maize to evaluate different EM products. Following the winter season’s lettuce harvest, chemical and microbial analysis of the soil are being conducted. These tests will be repeated after the summer season’s harvest to provide clear results on the effectiveness of EM products. The findings will guide EBDA engineers in delivering instructions and advice to farmers for optimal product application. The trial aims to enhance soil quality, crop growth, and provide sustainable agricultural practices through EM technology.
TRAINING AND LEARNING MATERIAL CREATED WITH OUR PARTNERS
Recipe Videos for consumer awareness
Organic Egypt in cooperation with RDNA Food store, is producing recipe videos to raise awareness on natural, local and organic food. The recipe videos are a short, fun, visual way to communicate with the consumers and easy to do at home. The recipes this month included ingredients like shiitake, king oyster and chestnut mushrooms as well as fresh and local rainbow cherry tomatoes and oranges.
Agricultural advice
With the support of agricultural experts, we publish advice on organic agricultural cultivation methods on our social media platforms in simple Arabic language. During the last month, an advice on the best agriculture practices for organic basil cultivation was developed and published. The advice included important points that must be taken into consideration like how to select the organic basil seeds, the seedlings, and the suitable variety. In addition the advice discussed the appropriate time for cultivation, and how the appropriate time affects the basil yield and resistance to diseases.
Awareness raising videos on organic farming
In light of Organic Egypt and EBDA cooperation to raise awareness, several videos on the benefits of organic and biodynamic farming were produced. One video about EBDAs work in the Wahat El Bahria Oasis, several other videos on the success stories and inspirations of EBDA members sharing their stories, challenges and benefits to inspire other farmers to convert their farms to a sustainable agricultural practice were shooted and published, as well as a video about the agricultural cooperatives training, demonstrating the outcomes and benefits of the participants. The videos can be watched on the social media channels of EBDA and Organic Egypt.
Competition for organic crop manuals
Preparations for the “Grow Organic Competition 2” (Ezraa Odwy 2) have been done this month, the competition will be launched in July 2023 in collaboration with the Faculty of Organic Agriculture, Heliopolis University and our partner associations, EBDA and IDAM. The competition is a follow up on the successfully implemented last year’s competition where 150 students from 18 different universities had shared and that have gained attention in the media and press.
The winners of last year’s competition were invited to give a speech at the Egyptian 3rd channel in the program “Sabah El Qahera”.
EDUCATIONAL AND AWARENESS RAISING CAMPAIGNS
Consumer Excursion
Organic Egypt in cooperation with RDNA Food store, is producing recipe videos to raise awareness on natural, local and organic food. The recipe videos are a short, fun, visual way to communicate with the consumers and easy to do at home. The last videos were about how to prepare Ricotta Cherry, Tomato Pasta, Chocolate Rice Cakes as well, Herby grilled Halloumi Wrap and Roasted Lemon Parmesan Asparagus. Vegetables and products from EBDA partner farms, as well as other organic and clean products were used.
Rdna activities for healthy eating and consumer awareness
Organic Egypt in cooperation with RDNA, implements activities for healthy eating aimed at raising consumer awareness. In June 2023, RDNA collaborated with KMT Studios (a wellness and health space in Maadi, Cairo) and conducted 2 events. A two day workshop named “The Metabolic Reset”, where participants learned how the body works, what it needs and the reason many of us suffer ill health at a very young age. 15 consumers attended this workshop. The other event was a half day activity talking about Food Gardens of Ancient Egypt. The gardens in ancient Egypt were spaces to relax and enjoy nature, food and celebrations. They were visually stunning and served many practical purposes, sometimes also medicine. Dr Hala Barakat, archaeobotanist and environmentalist conducted this session, the participants had the unique opportunity to learn all about the world of gardens in ancient Egypt, their types, significance, design, and biodiversity.
CONSULTANCY TO LOCAL CERTIFICATION BODY
Consultancy to COAE
Organic Egypt supports the Center of Organic Agriculture in Egypt (COAE) to enhance their inspection and certification procedures. Led by Rienk ter Braake, two training programs were conducted in May and June 2023.
The trainings aimed to strengthen the COAE team’s expertise in inspection and certification, develop efficient procedures and forms, improve the Quality Manual, and enhance data management practices. The trainings included an internal audit to ensure Demeter compliance, reviewing past non-compliances, and verifying product approval and labeling implementation. These efforts demonstrate COAE’s commitment to maintaining high standards in organic and Demeter certification. Organic Egypt continues to support organizations like COAE in their pursuit of excellence, contributing to a thriving organic agriculture sector in Egypt.
Newsletter Volume 24 –May 2023
Comments Off on Newsletter Volume 24 –May 2023Dear Reader,
This is volume number 24 of Organic Egypt project newsletter. It reviews our activities in May 2023 and illustrates all interventions conducted with our partners, the Integral Development Action of Minia (IDAM) and Demeter Egypt (EBDA).
We hope you enjoy the read!
TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS FOR PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS
Training on the ERPNext online system
In the context of supporting our partner association in the digital transformation and creating a strong and organized database for their members, a training was conducted for the EBDA agricultural extension engineers about the ERPnext program and how to create a complete file for the farm including its location, owner’s name, the crops grown, and all other data related to the farm.
Training on the Demeter Standard (Biodiversity and Livestock Regulations)
In light of the cooperation between Organic Egypt and EBDA a training was conducted for the agricultural engineers who newly joined the association. The training covered the general principles of the demeter standard such as the principles of production, processing, ecological responsibility, and social responsibility.
The demeter standard also includes the biodiversity and the livestock regulations that were discussed in detail by the trainer. The training was very interactive and the trainees were very engaged and interested to learn how to support their farmers in applying the demeter standards.
First training module for IDAM engineers on sustainable agricultural extensionists
The Organic Egypt project organized a training module entitled “Introduction to Agroecology” for its partner IDAM.
The 3 days training is part of a diploma for sustainable agricultural extension that will be held for approximately one year and consists of a series of modules including all relevant topics related to the extension work in sustainable agriculture. 18 engineers and facilitators from IDAM participated in the first training module. They learned about the principles of agroecology and ecological agriculture. The training was very interactive and engaging, as the participants had the opportunity to ask questions, share their experiences, and discuss the challenges and opportunities of Agroecology in Egypt. The feedback from the participants was very positive, as they expressed their satisfaction with the quality and relevance of the training program.
NEW INNOVATIVE SERVICES OF OUR PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS
Establishment of a marketing department at EBDA
In the continuous efforts to provide innovative solutions and support the organic agriculture community, the first two milestones in establishing a marketing department at EBDA to mediate between farmers and processors was accomplished in May 2023. Firstly, the marketing specialist position was filled after the successful implementation of the Business consultation training. Secondly, EBDA has introduced an online marketplace on its website’s homepage. The online marketplace not only offers a wide range of organic production inputs sourced from approximately 20 different trusted suppliers, but also provides a valuable matchmaking platform (B2B) for organic and biodynamic raw materials. Whether you are a member of EBDA or simply passionate about organic products, this service is available for everyone to utilize. At present, the online marketplace is in the development and trial phase, as EBDA strives to refine and enhance its features. We invite you to explore the new shop and experience the convenience it offers for farmers. Simply visit the website at http://shop.ebda.earth/ to access the shop and discover the exciting array of organic products available.
Whether you are a member of EBDA or simply passionate about organic products, this service is available for everyone to utilize. At present, the online marketplace is in the development and trial phase, as EBDA strives to refine and enhance its features. We invite you to explore the new shop and experience the convenience it offers for farmers. Simply visit the website at http://shop.ebda.earth/ to access the shop and discover the exciting array of organic products available.
Progress in the Native Chicken Breeds Project
IDAM has successfully placed the first batch of pure Fayoumi breed eggs in the hatchery. This milestone marks an important step towards the production of pure Fayoumi breed chicks. The hatchery, located in the Mansafis community, is now home to the eagerly anticipated first batch of pure Fayoumi breed chicks.
The pure Fayoumi breed is known for its resilience, adaptability, and exceptional egg-laying capabilities, however, it’s going to be extinct soon. By focusing on this breed, IDAM aims to contribute to the preservation of the local heritage and ensure a sustainable future for poultry farming in the region.
TRAINING AND LEARNING MATERIAL CREATED WITH OUR PARTNERS
Recipe Videos for consumer awareness
Organic Egypt in cooperation with RDNA Food store, is producing recipe videos to raise awareness on natural, local and organic food. The recipe videos are a short, fun, visual way to communicate with the consumers and easy to do at home. The last videos were about how to prepare Ricotta Cherry, Tomato Pasta, Chocolate Rice Cakes as well, Herby grilled Halloumi Wrap and Roasted Lemon Parmesan Asparagus. Vegetables and products from EBDA partner farms, as well as other organic and clean products were used.
Video on the success stories of EBDA members
In light of Organic Egypt and EBDA cooperation to raise awareness, several videos on the success story of EBDA members were produced this May. In the videos, certified farmers are sharing their stories, challenges and benefits to inspire other farmers to convert their farms to a sustainable agricultural practice. The videos can be watched on the social media channels of EBDA and Organic Egypt.
Video on the benefits of Bees in organic farming
This May we celebrated the World Bees Day! In cooperation with our partner association EBDA, an awareness video has been developed about the benefits of the bees for our planet!
The video focuses on the main five benefits of bees: pollination, food production, biodiversity, honey and wax. The video can be watched on the social media channels of EBDA and Organic Egypt.
EDUCATIONAL AND AWARENESS RAISING CAMPAIGNS
Consumer Excursion
Consumer excursions are designed to bring consumers closer to farmers and producers. With our strategic partner RDNA we conduct monthly consumer-farmer excursions. The excursion this May was organized to Hazel Farm, a farm for vegetables and fruits cultivated in an agroecological way. There were 9 participants. The program included a farm tour and farm lunch as well as several activities like planting vegetable seedlings in pots, and access to a playing area and petting animals.
NETWORKING ACTIVITIES OF ORGANIC EGYPT PROJECT AND PARTNERS
Economy of Love Standard at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
EBDA representative Justus Harm had the opportunity to present the work of the Egyptian Economy of Love standard at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, USA. The presentation captivated the audience, generating fruitful and stimulating discussions among experts and scholars.
The emphasis was the importance of ethical supply chains and the associative economical elements of the EoL scheme as fundamental drivers of societal well-being and the regeneration of natural ecosystems. Some participants posed critical questions that focused on the issue of societal inequalities. The Economy of Love scheme provides a robust regulatory framework that effectively addresses and prevents inequalities, ensuring a fair distribution of resources and opportunities within certified supply chains. Moreover, it recognizes and upholds the importance of individual rights, empowering individuals to actively participate in economic and organizational decision-making processes.
Strengthening Participatory Guarantee Systems: EBDA Collaborates with Timbaktu Collective
EBDA met with two representatives from the Timbaktu Collective in India to exchange information on the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS).
Hailing from the drought-prone region of Andhra Pradesh, India, the Timbaktu Collective is a trailblazing grassroots nonprofit organization with a remarkable 32-year track record.
Their transformative work encompasses a range of initiatives, including organic agriculture promotion, natural regeneration, community-based institutions, alternative banking, rural entrepreneurship, and championing the rights of women, children, and persons with disabilities.
During their visit, the Timbaktu Collective representatives engaged in productive discussions and solution oriented techniques with EBDA. Timbaktu Collective also expressed their interest in implementing the EoL standard including the carbon credit component with their 2000 farmers in the Andhra Pradesh region. Their visit provided a valuable platform to exchange ideas, explore the details of the Participatory Guarantee System, and gain a deeper understanding of the local rural culture.
Newsletter Volume 23 –April 2023
Comments Off on Newsletter Volume 23 –April 2023Dear Reader,
This is volume number 23 of Organic Egypt project newsletter. It reviews our activities in April 2023 and illustrates all interventions conducted with our partners, the Integral Development Action of Minia (IDAM) and Demeter Egypt (EBDA).
Happy Easter and Eid Mubark! We hope you all had a beautiful and relaxing time
TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS FOR PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS
Training on bio-fertilizers and microbiological assessment
Organic Egypt organized one day training for the extension engineers of the Egyptian Biodynamic Association (Demeter Egypt), the biofertilizer and microbiological assessment training consisted of 2 sessions; the first was about the soil structure, soil microbial complex and how it regulates and influences the soil. The second session was about different organic fertilizers, formulations, and mechanisms of effectiveness.
MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES BETWEEN ASSOCIATIONS
Training on Data Visualisation
A one day practical training on data visualization tools was conducted to 17 of the partner associations staff. Two experts prepared and implemented the training. At first, Dr. Amr Ghanem defined data and its types with an explanation of data processing methods and different ways of displaying it. He explained how this can be applied to google sheets more accurately and to all types of graphs and further, showed how compound graphs can be constructed. In addition he explained how to prepare data for dashboard work, how to prepare dynamic graphs and how to build dynamic dashboards. Then Dr. Abdelrahman Ali introduced and explained the Canva website and its features. He worked with the participants on different and varied designs (pictures, videos, presentations, etc.) and the differences between the free and paid templates. Also editing and modifying pictures, videos, presentations, ppt, infographics, design posters and book covers and personal cards (business cards) have been discussed and applied.
Meeting on the internal processes and activities of Demeter Egypt (EBDA) and IDAM with Ramadan Iftar
Organic Egypt project invested the inspiring vibes of Ramadan to meet with its partner associations Demeter Egypt (EBDA) and the Integral Development Action of Minia, in KMT house to make Ramadan Iftar and discuss the activities and processes that are aiming to enhance the Internal management system. We discussed the training plans for the internal development of both partners as well as improving the efficiency of the workflow.
Also, we spoke about both partners’ strategy on how they intend to contribute to improving the framework conditions of Egyptian organic agriculture through advocacy and campaigning activities. The most important part of the meeting was undoubtedly the team building activities that were designed to bring the EBDA, IDAM and Organic Egypt teams closer together. The last part of the meeting was the Ramadan iftar which was made of organic ingredients provided by the Rdna shop and prepared through the kitchen in KMT house.
NEW INNOVATIVE SERVICES OF OUR PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS
Economy of Love Carbon Credit (EoL CC)
The Egyptian Biodynamic Association (EBDA) in cooperation with the Carbon Footprint Center (CFC), is taking significant steps towards making visible the regenerative agriculture practices on Egyptian farms. The EBDA, the CFC together with a British organization are jointly working on developing a Project Design Note (PIN) that will highlight the biodiversity credits generated by EBDA farms. This PIN will serve as a comprehensive record, showcasing the commendable efforts of member farmers in conserving and promoting biodiversity on their farms. By making these efforts visible, the EBDA and CFC aim to create awareness and recognition for the vital role that biodiversity plays in sustaining our ecosystems and food systems. This innovative approach to measuring and valuing biodiversity efforts through a credit system will not only incentivize farmers to adopt biodiversity-friendly practices but also contribute to the conservation of biodiversity in the region. The EBDA is committed to promoting regenerative, biodynamic agriculture and fostering biodiversity conservation, creating a positive impact on both the environment and the livelihoods of farmers in Egypt.
Also during April 2023, the Economy of Love standard gained international recognition by becoming a member of the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA). This membership allows EoL to better participate in the voluntary carbon credit market and opens up new opportunities for the Egyptian Biodynamic Association to generate income for their farming members. By aligning with IETA, EoL gains credibility and legitimacy in the global carbon credit market, providing a solid foundation for EBDA’s biodynamic farming practices. The income generated from the sale of carbon credits will not only support EBDA’s mission of promoting sustainable agriculture in Egypt but also contribute to the livelihoods of their farming members, helping to create a more resilient and economically viable future for Egyptian farmers.
TRAINING AND LEARNING MATERIAL CREATED WITH OUR PARTNERS
Videos on the benefits of Economy of love standard
In light of Organic Egypt’s and EBDA’s cooperation to raise awareness, Economy of Love (EoL) was able to publish new videos on their channels. The trailer for EoL begins with a breathtaking aerial shot of a lush, green landscape in the morning dust dotted with wildflowers and pigeons. Another video produced includes snippets from an information video titled “What is EoL,” which emphasize mutual care, collaboration of farmers, businesses and consumers, and sustainability in building a more compassionate and interconnected world.
Agricultural advice
With the support of organic agriculture experts, we publish advice on organic agricultural cultivation methods on our social media platforms in simple Arabic language. During this April we published the first advice of a series of advices on organic weed management. This first advice was about the use of sorghum in its different forms (as cultivation, as an extract, as a powder) in weed management. We got very high reach on this post and many questions from interested people.
ORGANIC EGYPT AS A SUSTAINABLE ENTITY
Organic Egypt forum
Organic Egypt project focuses on developing the organic agricultural sector in Egypt through strengthening selected farmer associations to deliver demand-driven services in line with future market trends for organic farmers. During its implementation since December 2018, it became clear how important it is to continue the activities of the project beyond its funding and start a new and sustainable Forum that seeks to develop the organic agricultural sector in Egypt and bring together all stakeholders of the sector to empower its development. Organic Egypt project team conducted several meetings with its partner associations EBDA and IDAM to discuss the suitable future forum and its possible activities. Both partner and the project team agreed on starting an “Organic Egypt Forum” in 2023 and evaluate its efficiency after one year to be developed either in a center under the Heliopolis University or in an independent association.
Newsletter Volume 22 –March 2023
Comments Off on Newsletter Volume 22 –March 2023Dear Reader,
This is volume number 22 of Organic Egypt project newsletter. It reviews our activities in March 2023 and illustrates all interventions conducted with our partners, the Integral Development Action of Minia (IDAM) and Demeter Egypt (EBDA).
Ramadan Kareem! We wish you all a beautiful and relaxing time during this holy month!
TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS FOR PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS
Onboarding training for EBDA engineers
One of Organic Egypt project activities is to support its partner associations in capacity building of their staff. An intensive practical training for a duration of 12 days has been held for the 10 newly hired agriculture engineers in Demeter Egypt. Also 3 IDAM staff attended this introduction training to organic and biodynamic agriculture. The participants were introduced to the principles of organic and biodynamic farming systems including the whole production scale starting from soil preparations that included compost production on small and large scale, irrigation systems, animal husbandry, the interaction between soil and plants to the postharvest treatments. One day was also dedicated for company visits that process organic and biodynamic produce like herbs, fresh vegetables and cotton. It was a very successful onboarding training and the engineers were very active and motivated.
Training on the ERPNext online system
In light of our support for the partner association Demeter Egypt’s digital transformation, a training was held for the association’s agricultural engineers on the new updates that occurred in the ERPnext program. The idea is to make it more capable and easy to use when dealing with the association’s farmers’ information. The training included the program’s updates, ways to input data quicker and easier, and how to record data and verify its legitimacy.
Business consultation training for EBDA
Organic Egypt project co-organized a training with its partner association EBDA in business consultation skills. The aim of this training is to choose the best candidate for a marketing specialist position in EBDA association. The first day of the training was a profiling training for 6 Organic Egypt and EBDA staff members, to observe and learn how to choose the most suitable candidate during the two days training for the applicants of the marketing specialist position.The trainers were from the german non- profit organization Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft (bbw-Gruppe).
Marketing training for startups in IDAM
The entrepreneurs of IDAM received business consultation and marketing training over the course of three days. With their brilliant ideas and practical projects, 15 young people from IDAM communities exchanged experiences and questions with each other, and the trainers from the Educational Institute of the Bavarian Economy (bbw GmbH). The trainers covered a variety of related subjects, including how to use project canvas, create a brand, and market it.
NEW INNOVATIVE SERVICES OF OUR PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS
Farmer field school on IDAM Demo plots
The Agricultural Learning Center (ALC) of IDAM aims to showcase sustainable/organic agricultural cultivation methods. With the support of Organic Egypt, IDAM team designed 2 demo plots of ½ feddan anise and ½ feddan fennel for their members. The fourth and last farmfield school for the winter season was held with around 30 farmers of IDAM in March. The topics of this farmer field school were about the harvest and post harvest procedures aside to the specifications needed for exportation. The farmers will start harvesting in May and the next farmer field school will be done in the summer season for basil and sesame. We are planning to design 2 demo plots of ½ feddan basil and ½ feddan sesame for the summer season cultivation.
Effective Microorganism research project
EBDA is conducting a field research on 2 new different Effective Microorganisms (EM) products to study their effectiveness and to evaluate the economic aspect of those products from farmers’ perspective. Effective Microorganisms are mixed cultures of naturally existing beneficial organisms that may be used as inoculants to boost the soil ecosystem’s microbial diversity. Many studies approved that EM soil inoculation can increase soil quality, plant development, and yield.
Thus, it started a new research trial on one of its member’s farm to study the efficacy of the EM products.
Economy of Love Carbon Credit (EoL CC)
The EoL CC project conducted several activities and integrated several tools within its scheme in the last months like the EoL carbon calculator as well as the compost calculator. The EoL carbon calculator for farmers was created through the collaboration of environmental experts from the Carbon footprint Center (CFC), software developers, and farmers who were committed to promoting sustainable agriculture practices. The calculator was designed to be a user-friendly tool that enables farmers to estimate the potential carbon credit revenue that they could earn from adopting Economy of Love farming practices on their farms. It takes into account various factors such as soil health, crop rotation, renewable energy, trees, compost and livestock management to provide farmers with a realistic estimate of the carbon sequestration and avoidance potential of their farm. The EoL carbon calculator is intended to be a motivational tool for farmers, encouraging them to make the transition to sustainable farming practices and to reap the financial benefits that come with it. EoL has also successfully launched the latest EoL CC tool, the EoL Compost Calculator, designed to measure the methane avoidance achieved through the production of biodynamic compost following the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) methodology.
This innovative calculator provides a simple and effective way to track and quantify the positive impact of composting on greenhouse gas emissions, which can help EBDA farmers to generate an additional income through compost production. It also benefits officials to make informed decisions when it comes to managing organic waste.
By using the EoL Compost Calculator, we hope to promote the use of sustainable waste management on farms and contribute to the Egyptian wide efforts to mitigate climate change. Many social media campaigns were conducted as well, to raise awareness and interest in EoL carbon credits. The campaigns actively engaged potential customers and help to highlight the holistic impact of EoL carbon credits on smallholder farms in Egypt, and how they can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Implementation of the Regionalwert Calculator in Egypt
EBDA farms are actively serving the environment and community in ecological, economical and social dimensions. The services that sustainable farms are contributing to, for instance, increasing soil fertility and climate resilience, protecting insects, and training young people are services that farmers provide to the community without being appreciated or rewarded for it. Regenerative agriculture can only unfold its full potential if the value created is made visible and sufficiently remunerated. The Regionalwert performance calculator aims to show and give what added value biodynamic and regenerative farms are actually providing to society. In close cooperation with Regionalwert GmbH, EBDA has been working since July 2022 on tailoring this calculator to the Egyptian context, in order to provide more information on the impact that is being provided by EBDA farmers.
TRAINING AND LEARNING MATERIAL CREATED WITH OUR PARTNERS
Recipe Videos for consumer awareness
Organic Egypt in cooperation with RDNA Food store, is producing recipe videos to raise awareness on natural, local and organic food. The recipe videos are a short, fun, visual way to communicate with the consumers and easy to do at home. This March the recipe videos included Tahini Stuffed Dates, Chia Yogurt Pudding, Egg Sohour Dish and Chia Dates Smoothie! All recipe videos can be watched on the social media platforms of RDNA and Organic Egypt.
Videos on the benefits of Economy of love standard
In light of Organic Egypt’s and EBDA’s cooperation to raise awareness, several videos on the benefits of the Economy of Love standard were produced by EBDA this March. In the videos, certified farmers are sharing their stories, challenges and benefits to inspire other farmers to convert their farms to a sustainable agricultural practice. Also, one video was shared by the Egyptian Biodynamic Association on the International Women’s Day about its empowered women team which is responsible for the great success of the EBDA, and the EoL standard. All videos are published and can be watched on the social media platforms of EBDA.
Agricultural advice
With the support of organic agriculture experts, we publish advice on organic agricultural cultivation methods on our social media platforms in simple Arabic language. During this March we published an advice on using plants of the cruciferous family to combat the fungal diseases, rot, and wilting causes in the soil. We included examples of these plants and how to integrate them with crop cultivation. We got very high reach on this post and many questions from interested people.
Farmers and Processors Market
Organic Egypt in cooperation with RDNA, implements farmers and processors markets in an open space at KMT house, Maadi in Cairo. The March Market was conducted on the 18th of March from 10am to 5pm at kmt! 11 vendors participated in this market with around 300 guests. The vendors offered baladi organic eggs, healthy snacks, different organic herbs, sandwiches, dates, natural cosmetics including skin and hair products, and some candles as well as clothing was also provided. The day was filled with lots of great conversations and discussions, tastings and more to bring consumers closer to producers and farmers.
Newsletter Volume 21 –February 2023
Comments Off on Newsletter Volume 21 –February 2023Dear Reader,
This is volume number 21 of Organic Egypt project newsletter. It reviews our activities in February 2023 and illustrates all interventions conducted with our partners IDAM and Demeter Egypt (EBDA).
We hope you are all doing well and hope you enjoy the reading!
Stay safe and healthy!
TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS FOR PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS
Training on the Economy of Love (EoL) standard
A one day training on the Economy of Love (EoL) standard was conducted for the engineers of EBDA. The training started by a revision of the biodynamic and organic practices and their holistic impact (e.g., biodiversity, climate change mitigation..etc). Followed by discussing the EoL standard benefits like; receiving technical training, higher income through EoL carbon credits, among many other benefits.
The last session focused on the EoL standard criteria and checklist and the best and easiest way for the engineers to get the data and to support the farmers through the certifying and auditing process.
Training on Data Visualisation
A one day practical training on data visualization tools was conducted to 17 of the partner associations staff. Two experts prepared and implemented the training. At first, Dr. Amr Ghanem defined data and its types with an explanation of data processing methods and different ways of displaying it. He explained how this can be applied to google sheets more accurately and to all types of graphs and further, showed how compound graphs can be constructed. In addition he explained how to prepare data for dashboard work, how to prepare dynamic graphs and how to build dynamic dashboards. Then Dr. Abdelrahman Ali introduced and explained the Canva website and its features. He worked with the participants on different and varied designs (pictures, videos, presentations, etc.) and the differences between the free and paid templates. Also editing and modifying pictures, videos, presentations, ppt, infographics, design posters and book covers and personal cards (business cards) have been discussed and applied.
Training on Biodynamic agriculture
Our partener association (EBDA) participated in a training organized by the Goetheanum section for agriculture in Switzerland. The 4 days training covered several topics including biodynamic research in the past, present and future as well as the implementation and training challenges of biodynamics in different climates and cultural conditions. The training was attended by many representatives of demeter associations world wide. Through different workshops in the topics of fiber, soil, crops and vegetables amongst others, exchange of knowledge and information and experiences was made. Also, success stories of women pioneers in biodynamics from all over the world were shared by the participants.
Strategic Planning Workshop with IDAM
Organic Egypt together with IDAM team had a complementary strategic planning workshop to develop the strategy paper of IDAM’s agricultural program. The workshop consisted of several sessions and meetings with organic agriculture specialists to better understand the sector and to get insight to develop the strategic plan. During the three days workshop, a SWOT analysis was conducted from which outcomes and objectives were defined. In groups, indicators for each outcome were defined. In the coming months, a workshop will be conducted to determine the short and long term activities and to make an action plan.
Training on how to onboard new farmers in the EoL certification
Organic Egypt co-organized a one-day training for IDAM and RDNA suppliers to learn how to onboard new farmers in the EoL certification system. The training was conducted by EBDA representatives, who explained the various services of EBDA and how to get enrolled in the EoL certification. One session covered the basics of the EBDA consultancy programs and training systems, another session explained the Economy of Love standard, its criteria, its services, and its benefits.
NEW INNOVATIVE SERVICES OF OUR PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS
Evaluation and further development of the ERPnext system
The EBDA team hosted Gabriel Morgen, the chief technology officer (CTO) at Producers trust Company.
He came to analyze and understand the ERPnext system in order to support EBDA to improve and upgrade it. He visited the EBDA farms to meet the field engineers and understand the data entry system. His visit was very productive as he helped in outlining the challenges and map out the points EBDA want to achieve and upgrade. He also provided innovative solutions to facilitate the process of registering the EBDA farmers.
TRAINING AND LEARNING MATERIAL CREATED WITH OUR PARTNERS
Recipe Videos for consumer awareness
Organic Egypt in cooperation with RDNA Food store, is producing recipe videos to raise awareness on natural, local and organic food. The recipe videos are a short, fun, visual way to communicate with the consumers and easy to do at home. This February the recipe videos included Orange Veggie Lamb, Fereek with baladi Sausage, Honey Mustard Duck, Roasted Honey Sweet Potato! All recipe videos can be watched on the social media platforms of RDNA and Organic Egypt.
Videos on the benefits of Economy of love standard
In light of Organic Egypt’s and EBDA’s cooperation to raise awareness, several videos on the benefits of the Economy of Love standard were produced by EBDA this February. In the videos, certified farmers are sharing their stories, challenges and benefits to inspire other farmers to convert their farms to a sustainable agricultural practice. All videos will be published in the coming weeks and can be watched on the social media platforms of EBDA and Organic Egypt.
EDUCATIONAL AND AWARENESS RAISING CAMPAIGNS
Farmers and Processors Market
Organic Egypt in cooperation with RDNA, implements Farmers and Processors Markets in an open space at KMT house, Maadi in Cairo. 10 vendors participated in this market with around 300 guests. The day was filled with lots of great conversations and discussions, tastings and more to bring consumers closer to producers and farmers.
Consumer Excursion
Consumer excursions are designed to bring consumers closer to farmers and producers. With our strategic partner RDNA we conduct monthly consumer-farmer excursions. The excursion this February was organized to Wiiwii’s Farm a farm for vegetables and fruits cultivated in a natural way. The participants were 15 adults and 6 children. The program included a farm tour walk and farm lunch. The children got a chance to play in a designated playing area and pet the farm animals all day. There was also farm shopping for eggs, beans, and other veggies.
NETWORKING ACTIVITIES OF ORGANIC EGYPT PROJECT
BIOFACH 2023
BIOFACH is the biggest exhibition for organic products worldwide, where the opportunity for networking with international stakeholders is significant. Organic Egypt team attended this year with a lot of scheduled meetings and sessions which had displayed many interesting and insightful topics related to advocacy and marketing. It was a great chance to meet stakeholders from the African organic movements like Kenya Organic Agricultural Movement (KOAN) and Heritage Foods Africa. Also, meetings with IFOAM and CIHEAM Bari representatives were conducted to share and learn about organic agriculture movements.
Visiting IDAMs Farm in Minia
IDAM has a big farm that consists of about 70 feddan (35 hectares) in the north of Minia. The farm is called Shosha farm and has, besides the open fields for agricultural cultivation, an aquaculture system, beehives, and a compost unit that is in the planning phase, also they have a big facility for poultry and livestock production that is currently not running. Shosha farm has a great potential to be converted into a certified organic or EoL farm. The cultivation there is without any synthetic fertilizers or plant protection remedies, but the farm is not certified yet. Consequently, IDAM team invited Organic Egypt with the project coordinator Martin Wahl from bbw international to visit the farm. After a farm tour, discussions took place to get to know the challenges and elaborate ideas on developing and converting the farm. Moreover, the participants had a long meeting to discuss the current running activities and services for IDAM members, possible cooperations between IDAM and Demeter Egypt, and the upcoming training programs for IDAM staff.
Newsletter Volume 20 – January 2023
Comments Off on Newsletter Volume 20 – January 2023Dear Reader,
This is the twentieth newsletter of Organic Egypt project. It reviews our activities in January 2023 and illustrates all interventions conducted with our partners IDAM and Demeter Egypt (EBDA).
We hope you are all doing well and hope you enjoy the reading!
Stay safe and healthy!
TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS FOR PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS
Training on the Demeter standard and its regulation
A one day training on the updated version of the Demeter regulation,‘Demeter 2022 regulations’ was conducted for the engineers of EBDA. The training started by discussing how the Demeter standard purports to be global in scope and yet, how difficult it is to establish global cultivation and processing standards due to climate and cultural variances. In the following sessions they discussed the role of biodynamic and organic farming in promoting biodiversity and its role in climate change mitigation.
They emphasized that the Biodynamic farmers and growers must encourage biodiversity on their farms and gardens, as a priority, so their crops can benefit from this balancing effect. The third session included the Demeter animal criteria by which farmers should include animals in their farms. Ongoing training is required to keep the EBDA staff up to date and best informed about the Demeter and other international standards.
English language course
Organic Egypt supports the capacity building of the partner associations employees, for that, a 6 months English language course started in November 2022 for 11 of IDAM staff. The course includes methods and skills of writing emails in English, making reports and proposals. IDAM’s team showed enormous progress the first three months and are looking forward to the coming three months of the course.
Farmer field school on IDAM Demo plots
The Agricultural Learning Center (ALC) of IDAM aims to showcase sustainable/organic agricultural cultivation methods. With the support of Organic Egypt, IDAM team designed 2 demo plots of ½ feddan anise and ½ feddan fennel during this winter season for their members. The third farmer field school with around 30 IDAM members was conducted in January. The topic of this session was how to control pests and diseases. The consultant Dr. Saber Hendawy also listened to the challenges and problems the farmers were facing during cultivation and supported them in finding solutions. The next session will cover the topics of how to harvest and store the crop.
TRAINING AND LEARNING MATERIAL CREATED WITH OUR PARTNERS
Recipe Videos for consumer awareness
In light of the cooperation between RDNA and Organic Egypts to raise awareness, RDNA is producing and sharing recipe videos which are healthy, engaging and easy to do at home. The recipe videos are a short, fun, visual way to communicate with the consumers. This January the recipe videos included Healthy Halawa Spread, Egyptian Meatloaf – Hawawshi meatloaf, Rye Bread “Champions Bread” Egyptian Style and Lentil Breakfast Dish!! All recipe videos can be watched on the social media platforms of RDNA and Organic Egypt.
Video on a long term field trial
In light of the Organic Egypt’s and EBDA’s cooperation to raise awareness, a video on the long termin field trail, “DOC trial” was produced. The DOC trail is a long term research trial comparing Demeter (now converted to Economy of Love), Organic and Conventional “DOC” farming systems. The trial started in 2016 and measures the evolution of soil conditions and profit generation. The trial results so far are showing that Demeter, EoL respectively are the best practices in building soil fertility and soil health.
Furthermore, the revenues of each cropping system are being measured, and the EoL managed crops have up to 28% higher the profits than the conventional counterpart; this comes amongst others, from the EoL carbon credit systems that rewards carbon sequestration. The video was published on Organic Egypt’s and EBDA’s social media platforms.
Manuals for organic Anise and fennel production
In order to spread knowledge about organic agriculture in Arabic language, two Manuals were created for the production of organic anise and fennel. The manuals include all steps of cultivation, good harvesting practices, post-harvest treatments like drying and appropriate methods for storage and packaging. The manuals are provided for free on the Knowledge Bank of Organic Egypt. Following the links: Organic Anise Manual and Organic Fennel Manual
Organic Agriculture Advice
With the support of the organic agriculture experts, we publish advices on organic agricultural cultivation methods on our social media platforms in a simple Arabic language. During this January we published an advice on the nicandra plant, including a brief description of the plant, its origins, and how to make organic pest control out of it. We get very high reaches on this post and many questions from interested people.
EDUCATIONAL AND AWARENESS RAISING CAMPAIGNS
Farmers and Processors Market
Organic Egypt in cooperation with RDNA, implements Farmers and Processors Markets in an open space at KMT house, Maadi in Cairo. In January, RDNA conducted a Farmers Market where 10 vendors participated. The day was filled with lots of great conversations and discussions, tastings and more to bring consumers closer to producers and farmers, around 300 guests visited the market.
Consumer Excursion
Consumer Excursions are designed to bring consumers closer to farmers and producers. With our strategic partner RDNA we conduct monthly consumer-farmer excursions. The excursion this January was organized to Sara Organic Farm, a farm around 70 km north-west of Cairo. 20 adults and 13 children participated. The program included a farm tour walk and farm lunch. The focus of this excursion was on Kohlrabi (german turnip) with a talk and harvest. Another activity was baking Egyptian baladi bread, animal petting and planting seedlings in a pot to take home.
NETWORKING ACTIVITIES OF ORGANIC EGYPT PROJECT
Meeting with the Agricultural Export Council
Organic Egypt team organized a meeting with Dr. Hany Hussein (General manager of the Agricultural Export Council) (AEC) to discuss possible cooperation and check the status of the committee for organic produce and how to activate it. The Agriculture Export Council is a non profit organization aimed to develop the export sector of agricultural products. It’s an advisory council to the Minister of Trade and Industry, and it represents the Egyptian agricultural exporters. They have different committees within the AEC on each crop, some years ago, they had a committee for organic producers as well, but this committee stopped working. They have significant experience in conducting trainings on specific crops and its quality standards, and how to understand the international market and facilitate the exportation processes. During the meeting, we found a lot of common interests, which will motivate us to conduct a fruitful cooperation in the future.
Workshop with GEBAL about microcredits for small scale farmers
Organic Egypt was invited to attend a workshop with GEBAL company, which brought together farmers from Upper Egypt, the Delta, and the Western Desert, as well as representatives of different Egyptian banks and insurance companies, international organizations such as UNDP and FAO, as well as representatives of GIZ and the EU Delegation to Egypt to discuss microcredit systems for small scale farmers in Egypt. They used the design thinking method, to find solutions for the financial issues that face the farmers, specially small farmers who want to implement sustainable agriculture practice in Egypt. Many different options and bank products were discussed in group works. The day was very fruitful and full of interesting activities and insightful ideas.
Meeting with J-PAL
Organic Egypt project organized a meeting with J-PAL MENDA, Demeter Egypt and the Economy of Love team to discuss possible corporations. J-PAL Global conducts research, policy, education, and capacity building work to ensure that policy is informed by scientific evidence. They provide research and policy expertise in each of J-PAL’s 11 sectors: Agriculture; Crime, Violence, and Conflict; Education; Environment, Energy, and Climate Change; Finance; Firms; Gender; Health; Labor Markets; Political Economy and Governance, and Social Protection. J-PAL Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is the youngest office from all seven offices worldwide and is based at the American University in Cairo.
It leads J-PAL’s work in the MENDA region and conducts randomized evaluations, builds partnerships for evidence-informed policymaking, and helps partners scale up effective programs. J-PAL MENA is interested in increasing their scope of work in the MENA region in the topics of Agriculture, Environment and Climate Change and asked for a meeting with Organic Egypt and EBDA team. EBDA is very much interested in measuring the impact of the Economy of Love Carbon Credit standard as well as elaborating ways to scale the EoL CC in Egypt. Ways of cooperation are being discussed at the moment.
Kick-off event for opening a new EBDA branch in Nuweiba, Sinai
In cooperation with Habiba Organic Farm, the EBDA held a kick- off event to open a new branch for EBDA in Sinai as requests from many farmers that want to convert their farm to organic and EoL cultivation were received.The meeting started with an introduction about EBDA and how to get a member and what the membership benefits are.
The kick off event was attended by 25 people, several topics, including organic pest control and organic fertilization were discussed. The Kick-off event included farm visits to get an overview on the challenges encountered by the farmers. Also visits to the women farmers of Nuweiba were conducted, where discussion around their agriculture knowledge and challenges were elaborated.
To open a branch in Sinai is a first step for EBDA’s towards achieving its vision, a future where biodynamic and organic agriculture are in the spotlight as mainstream models in Egypt.
Newsletter Volume 19 – December 2022
Comments Off on Newsletter Volume 19 – December 2022Dear Reader,
Merry Chrsitmas and Happy New Year!
This is the nineteenth newsletter of Organic Egypt project. It reviews our activities in December 2022 and illustrates all interventions conducted with our partners IDAM and Demeter Egypt (EBDA).
We hope you are all doing well and hope you enjoy the reading!
Stay safe and healthy!
TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS FOR PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS
Training on Soil Microbiology
Organic Egypt organized a 5-Days training for its partners EBDA and IDAM on soil microbiology. The training was based on understanding the basics of the dynamic relationship between plants and the soil microbiome. This included the soil microbiome’s role in nutrient cycling, building of soil structure, and successional selection. An outline of the practical process for applying this knowledge in the field was also provided, along with an intensive introduction to soil microscopy with hands-on practice. A new method for quickly assessing the makeup of the microbiome according to morphological and functional groups was derived from the process used by certified Soil Food Web (SFW) laboratories and taught to the participants. The participants were very interested in the new analyzing technique and expressed their wish to have a second training in 2023 to further increase their skills and knowledge in the SFW method.
EDUCATIONAL AND AWARENESS RAISING CAMPAIGNS
Organizational Development Workshop with EBDA
Organic Egypt organized a 2 days workshop on organizational development for its partner association EBDA . The workshop was conducted at the Heliopolis University, with the participation of 7 EBDA team members. The consultant started with reviewing EBDA strategy and their SWOT analysis as well as their action plan, and if it’s aligned with their vision, mission and values. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) were discussed and we elaborated, which SDGs are covered by EBDA’s outcomes and goals. The EBDA team got many insights on how to further develop their strategy paper.
Training on Leadership skills
Representative of the partner association EBDA, attended a 2-day program at the Presencing Institute, integrating the application of new forms of leadership skills based on Theory U.
The Presencing Institute was founded in 2006 by Otto Scharmer and colleagues at MIT Sloan School of Management to create an action research platform at the intersection of science, consciousness, and profound social and organizational change.
The training mainly focused on the intersection of different sectors working on sustainability solutions. A part of the training implemented the application of Case Clinic. This is a peer coaching process designed to identify innovative solutions and next steps for addressing a pressing and immediate leadership challenge. In a Case Clinic, a case giver presents a case, and peers or team members act as coaches, based on the principles of the U-process and process consultation. This training enabled EBDA representative to identify current challenges and explore how innovative methods – using the U-Process – can be applied to address them.
NEW INNOVATIVE SERVICES OF OUR PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS
Production and expansion of Native Chicken Breeds for IDAM members
IDAM with the support of Organic Egypt, started the pilot project of producing and distributing native chicken breeds in Minia. In the 4 villages, 21 chosen female breeders are raising the native breeds. Unfortunately, in December, there is a loss of almost a quarter of the chickens due to severe infections from flu, coccidia and clostridium, but around 1500 chicks are still there and no infections are listed anymore. In April 2023, they will produce eggs that will be hatched in the incubators and distributed amongst all IDAM members.
The Agricultural Learning Center (ALC) of IDAM aims to showcase sustainable/organic agricultural cultivation methods. With the support of Organic Egypt, IDAM team designed 2 demo plots of ½ feddan anise and ½ feddan fennel for their members. The second farmer field school with around 15 IDAM members was conducted in December. The topic of this session was how to control weeds and which biofertilizers can be used that are available on the market. Next session will be held in the beginning of January, covering the topic of pests and diseases that might appear on the 2 crops and what preventive measures can be taken as well as the biocontrol agents that are available on the market.
EDUCATIONAL AND AWARENESS RAISING CAMPAIGNS
Recipe Videos for consumer awareness
In the light of the cooperation between RDNA and Organic Egypts to raise awareness, RDNA is producing and sharing recipe videos which are healthy, engaging and easy to do at home. The recipe videos are a short, fun, visual way to communicate with the consumers. This December the recipe videos included Lemon Tahini Broccoli, Cauliflower Soup, Creamy Spiced Apple Oatmeal and the best chicken noodle Soup!! All recipe videos can be watched on the social media platforms of RDNA and Organic Egypt.
Farmers and Processors Market
Organic Egypt in cooperation with RDNA, implements Farmers and Processors Markets in an open space at KMT house, Maadi in Cairo. The December Market was conducted as the Christmas edition, 15 vendors participated in this market with around 400 guests. Different activities and christmas gifts were distributed among consumers and it was filled with lots of great conversations and discussions, tastings and more to bring consumers closer to producers and farmers.
NETWORKING ACTIVITIES OF ORGANIC EGYPT PROJECT
Financing Roundtable on Water-Energy-Food-Nexus Farming
Organic Egypt was invited to attend a session about Water-Energy-Food Nexus policies using Design Thinking methodology! Creative thinking and empathy-based design techniques took the discussions towards more concrete policy frameworks and ideas for initiatives that will help advance and upscale WEF Nexus farming across Egypt. The hands-on workshop took place on 5th of December, and was attended by representatives from different ministries, academic and research institutions, international organizations, the private sector, and NGOs. The event was part of a project implemented by GIZ and co-funded by the EU and BMZ.
Attending the Kick off Meeting of the BioTex Egypt project
Organic Egypt participated in the planning workshop of the BioTex Egypt project. The project’s main objective is to identify the needs of the organic textile and cotton sector in Egypt in order to create additional new and fair jobs in the organic textile sector. The project is funded by the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and started its inception phase on the 1st of December 2022 for a duration of 12 months. The workshop was attended by representatives of farmer organizations that are working with organic cotton farmers, with representatives of the private sector, as well as a representative of a vocational training center that has a textile training section. The inception phase intends to investigate the potential of organic textiles in more detail, both in cultivation and processing, and to test initial measures. During the one day Kick Off meeting, an outline for the log-frame as well as a finance plan for the 1 year project was set. Both projects are strategically aligned, and with its particular focus on organic cotton, the BioTextil project builds on the work and endeavors, Organic Egypt project has already created in Egypt.
Meeting with Dr. Maisa Lotfy
Organic Egypt team organized a meeting with Dr . Maisa Lotfy (Director of the Central lab of Organic agriculture manager (CLOA)) to discuss the status of the Egyptian organic law as well as possible cooperation between the Central Lab and Organic Egypt project.
The meeting was conducted at the office of the CLOA, which will be transformed to the general administration of organic agriculture once the law is implemented. According to the Egyptian organic agriculture law, the administration will be responsible for implementing the law and supervising the whole sector in cooperation with the National Food Safety Authority. Dr. Miasa, indicated that the law hasn’t been implemented yet, and once it starts, they will effectively work to support the sector on different levels (i.e., knowledge dissemination, platform, facilitation and raising awareness campaigns etc.) with all the stakeholders. Moreover, the implementation of the law will help in providing accurate data related to the organic agriculture sector like the total organic cultivated area, which crops, etc. Dr. Maisa welcomed the idea of cooperation with Organic Egypt on knowledge creation, raising awareness and networking for the sector’s stakeholders as well as disseminating the knowledge on the project’s website and social media channels.
