Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme

🎉 Congratulations to Orbiba Robotics on the first sale of their autonomous, AI-powered agricultural robots! 10 farmers across Turkey will now benefit from this innovation, while providing the team with valuable insights to further develop the agricultural robots' research, data & technology. Orbiba lead by ilker Bektas and his team represented their solution as our Top 20 selected semi finalists of the 2023/2024 inaugural year of Goumbook's MENAT Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme. We look forward to following Orbiba Robotics' ongoing success, as they develop and scale their innovative solution for social and environmental Impact within regenerative agriculture! Learn more about the solutions here https://lnkd.in/dJEPhmRc #Goumbook #ChangingMindsets #RegenerativeAgriculture #AgricultureInnovation

What’s in a label? 🌱 With terms such as “natural”, “sustainable”, “farm fresh”, “pure” rampantly misused, maintaining the integrity of the emerging term “regenerative” is essential. Organic and regenerative farming both share a common & complementary goal of creating a restorative food system that benefits soil health, the environment, and society. Both “organic” and “regenerative” terms and concepts continue to gain traction, making it imperative to clarify and stay true to their essence; a potential way to do this is by exploring food labeling and certification. One such example that marries both organic and regenerative practices is the ‘The Regenerative Organic Alliance Certified®️’(ROC) certificate. This certificate builds on organic standards reducing synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, ensuring soil health and ecosystem balance, while going further incorporating rigorous and pivotal regenerative guidelines such as: 🌱 ⁠Soil Health & Land Management 🐄 Animal Welfare 👨🏽🌾 ⁠Farmworker Fairness The certification also takes into account, the important notion that regenerative agriculture looks different across varying conditions and areas of the world. It is essential to always listen to the land, and adopt practices for local conditions and needs, by working in harmony with nature. How do you view the role of certification like Regenerative Organic Alliance Certified®️ in ensuring the authenticity of these terms? Are there other certifications or practices that you consider essential to consider? 💬 We’d love to hear your perspectives! #Goumbook #ChangingMindsets #RegenerativeAgriculture #RegenerativeCertification #SoilHealth

Can farmers transition to regenerative agriculture without sacrificing yield? It’s been said that shifting to regenerative agriculture leads to an inevitable drop in yields, especially in the first few years. But what if that’s not the whole story? Research has shown that the regenerative cycle offers a path where farmers can maintain - or even improve - yields by harnessing the power of soil microbiomes. By focusing on increasing photosynthesis, enhancing root exudates, and boosting microbial populations, regenerative agriculture transforms the way we approach farming. This cycle, once started, becomes self-sustaining, building healthier plants that are more resistant to pests and diseases without the need for synthetic inputs. What’s more, the benefits go beyond the farm. Regenerative practices not only preserve yield, but also contribute to soil health, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem resilience. By avoiding practices like heavy nitrogen inputs and fungicides that harm soil biology, and instead embracing methods like composting, diverse crop rotations, and microbial seed treatments, farmers can see immediate economic gains while nurturing the planet. Incorporating the regenerative cycle into agriculture isn't just about avoiding a drop in yield—it's about fostering a system where nature and farming work hand in hand. The results are clear: healthier soils, stronger plants, and a more sustainable future for agriculture. As we continue to explore and invest in these practices, the potential for positive change is immense. Let’s embrace this regenerative path for the benefit of our farms and our planet. #Goumbook #ChangingMindsets #RegenerativeAgriculture #SustainableFarming #SoilHealth #Microbiomes Image source: The regenerative cycle as described by John Kempf

The recent online panel led by Robert Kupstas, TTI Food Systems Leader, brought together investors, startup founders, and ecosystem builders to discuss emerging trends and challenges within regenerative agriculture. A special thank you to Tatiana Antonelli Abella, Founder & Managing Director at Goumbook, who was part of this enlightening discussion and shared the significance of supporting science and nature-based solutions in the domain of regenerative agriculture. We at MENAT Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme believe that empowering researchers and supporting innovative solutions that address the pressing challenges of our time, plays a crucial role in ensuring that the regenerative agriculture movement grows and flourishes, creating a more sustainable and resilient future for all. We look forward to continuing this journey and collaborating with all stakeholders to support the growth and impact of regenerative agriculture. Join us as we work towards a brighter, more sustainable future. 🌍💪 #Goumbook #ChangingMindsets #RegenerativeAgriculture #MENAT #Innovation

💧 #WaterScarcity is a constant challenge in our region. It is vital to consider not just the quantity but the quality of water we use in agriculture. Poor water quality can degrade soil health, leading to long-term productivity issues. #RegenerativeAgriculture offers a solution by enhancing soil's ability to retain and purify water, creating a sustainable cycle of soil and water health. Practices like cover cropping and no-till farming improve soil structure and organic matter, boosting water retention and reducing the need for irrigation. This is particularly crucial in the MENAT region, where efficient water use is essential. Healthy soils reduce runoff and erosion, ensuring that water quality is maintained and that pollutants are kept out of water bodies. By adopting #RegenerativeAgriculture, we can create resilient agricultural systems that safeguard both our soil and water resources 🌱 Image: FAO #Goumbook #ChangingMindsets #SoilHealth #WaterScarcity #WaterSecurity

🎉 Congratulations to Katya M. Aguilar on being recognised as the recipient of the 2024 Dean's Award for Chemistry by KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology). Katya represented her team and solution "Affordable Nanotech for Arid Environments" as one of three emerging winners of the 2023/2024 inaugural year of the MENAT Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme. We look forward to following Katya and her team's ongoing success, as they develop and scale their innovative research for social and environmental Impact! Learn more about the solutions here https://lnkd.in/dKV5j48B #Goumbook #changingmindsets #Research #RegenerativeAgriculture

Understanding the profound benefits of Ghaf trees for agroforestry and regenerative agriculture can revolutionize our approach to sustainable farming. The latest blog post published by our Give a Ghaf - Tree Planting Program, unveils the groundbreaking study by Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) in collaboration with M42 Health, on the Ghaf Tree’s genetic resilience. These magnificent trees can also transform agricultural landscapes: Ghaf trees are drought-tolerant and adaptable, thanks to their deep root systems that access groundwater, making them perfect for arid regions. They improve soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. Additionally, Ghaf trees regulate microclimates by providing shade, lowering soil temperatures, and retaining moisture, creating optimal conditions for crops. Their extensive roots stabilise soil, prevent erosion, and serve as windbreaks, protecting crops from damage. Ghaf trees also enhance biodiversity by supporting a variety of wildlife, contributing to ecological balance and natural pest control. Learn more about the incredible benefits of Ghaf trees in our latest blog post: https://lnkd.in/d5fDyYQZ #RegenerativeAgriculture #Agroforestry #Sustainability #SoilHealth #GhafTree #ClimateResilience #Biodiversity #Goumbook #ChangingMindsets

Goumbook's Strategy and Sustainability Impact Director, Samantha Kayruz, recently participated in a profound session focusing on key Sustainable Development Goals, hosted by the UN Global Compact Network UAE in collaboration with the UAE National Committee on SDGs. The event aimed to drive private sector engagement and data-driven progress across SDGs 1, 2, 13, 16, and 17. At the session, we had the privilege of moderating the discussion on SDG 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture, representing Goumbook's Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme and Eat It or Save It - Beyond Food Waste initiatives. It was an inspiring opportunity to contribute to meaningful dialogue and action towards achieving sustainable development goals. #Goumbook #Changingmindsets #EatItOrSaveIt #RengenerativeAgriculture

Listen to the MENAT Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme Winners 2024 on Forward Talks discussing their winning solutions and scaling Regenerative Agriculture to tackle MENAT agricultural challenges. Winners : Katya M. Aguilar, Lara Hussein لارا حسين Doaa Ibrahim Partners : EIT Food HSBC SAB https://lnkd.in/d5MtTRP3

What if we could turn the tide on desertification and drought through regenerative practices? On this World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, we reflect on this notion. The MENAT region, with its arid and semi-arid landscapes, faces significant challenges that demand sustainable solutions to prevent further land degradation and ensure a secure future. To delve deeper into these issues, we revisit the work of Al Baydah Project in Hijaz, Saudi Arabia, lead by Neal Spackman. In this blog post, Neal walks us through the project interventions and outcome, showcasing regenerative agriculture’s ability to not only maintain resources but also enhance & regenerate them, aiming for a net positive result in environmental and social sustainability. The work in the Al Baydah project with the bedouin tribes in Saudi Arabia, developed ways to reverse desertification, through regenerative practices. Follow the link below to watch the documentary and read the article: https://lnkd.in/dezNPUfn #CombatDesertification #Goumbook #ChangingMindsets #RegenerativeAgriculture #MENAT #LandRestoration #ClimateResilience