Supporting research, science, nature-based solutions for food security.
Dubai – Goumbook, a leading sustainable enterprise, has announced the launch of the Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme in partnership with HSBC Bank Middle East Limited and SAB (Saudi Awwal Bank), supported by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) Food. This programme aims to empower and upskill researchers and students who are actively engaged in addressing agricultural challenges in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT) region. The primary objective is to promote sustainable solutions in agriculture by addressing a range of issues such as hunger, nutrition, climate change, and adaptation. The goal is to position regenerative agriculture as a beacon of hope in overcoming these challenges and creating a prosperous MENAT region.
The programme seeks to find innovative solutions tailored to the unique agricultural conditions of the MENAT region that yield net beneficial economic, environmental, and social impacts for farmers and local communities. Conventional agricultural practices have led to the depletion of topsoil, which is responsible for 95% of all food production, and have put a strain on water supplies globally. Regenerative agriculture offers a solution by adopting resilient crop varieties that require less water, fewer pesticides, and reduced chemical inputs. It also has the potential to sequester carbon dioxide, making it a climate change mitigation and adaptation solution.
The Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme takes a multifaceted approach, emphasizing research, capacity building, and entrepreneurship. It aims to transform research solutions into long-term, scalable impact solutions accessible to small and medium farm holders. Additionally, the programme seeks to initiate a regenerative agriculture movement in the MENAT region, recognizing its importance in addressing climate change and agricultural challenges in this arid and water-scarce region.
Students and researchers focusing on regenerative agriculture solutions in the MENAT region can submit their applications online by December 18, 2023. The programme aims to establish concrete and scalable impact solutions that contribute to the sustainable development and environmental health of the MENAT region. Goumbooks Founder and Managing Director, Tatiana Antonelli Abella, expressed the urgency to innovate and maximize resource efficiency in the face of pressing agricultural and climate challenges. She emphasized the potential of regenerative agriculture in enhancing soil health, fostering biodiversity, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The programme has received support from HSBC Bank Middle East Limited and SAB, with both organizations highlighting the importance of regenerative agriculture in enhancing food and water security and mitigating climate change. This convergence of practical application and scientific inquiry aims to enhance soil vitality and conserve water resources. The Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme envisions a future of sustainable agriculture and is dedicated to empowering impactful change that preserves the environment for future generations.
Source: zawya.com
