EBDA in March 2024

April 21, 2024

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EBDA Various Activities

1- A joint session organized and presented by the Carbon Footprint Center (CFC), for the EY company. The session was presented by Dr. Thoraya Saeda, the CFC director. She presented the effects of climate change on the environment, soil productivity and food security. Additionally, the sustainable businesses role in mitigating climate change and enhancing soil productivity. Eventually, there was a prepared plan for planting numerous trees at SEKEM farm in the sharqiya region. All teams join the event together.

2- Fertilizers and Biological Control Catalog (March 2024 Edition):

The EBDA team has successfully worked on the new edition of the Fertilizers and Biological control Catalog (March 2024 edition) under COAE review which will be ready for distribution to all our farmers in 2024. Check the links for more details Catalog 03.2024

Economy of Love Standard Updates

EoL team in March 2024 successfully implemented the following in response to enhance the EoL criteria for the EBDA registered farmers:

– 863 CC was sold in March

EBDA Trainings & Workshops

– The EBDA agronomist training has been organized and coordinated by Eng. Hesham El-tayeb, Eng. Roaya, and Eng. Hend Hany. They managed the training which was divided into groups according to each group’s needed skills: Group one: The ERP-next data tool onboarding. Group two: The establishment of organic poultries in the rural areas. Group Three: Soil sampling

– Soil training about how to take soil samples? And this training was organized for the EBDA new agronomists. Dr. Sameh Shadad, soil analysis consultant for EBDA,led the training for EBDA’s newly hired engineers. Dr. Shadad clarified the significance of soil sampling. With a good soil sample, you could determine the suitability of the soil for planting, the potential issues with the field, and the appropriate crops to plant. As he explained that sampling is the backbone of having accurate results. As part of the practical work; samples were collected by the trainees under supervision of Dr. Shadad.

– According to Dr. Sameh, Agriculture engineers should be knowledgeable about soil morphology and topography to select the best area for soil sampling. The depth of the soil sample is dictated by the depth of the crop roots and usually ranges between 0 and 60 cm.

Avoid sampling in dead furrows, wet spots, areas near the main bund, trees, manure heaps, and irrigation channels.

The sample must be representative of the study region. As a result, samples are collected around the region in various locations and then combined considering that the samples are equal in terms of size and sampling technique.

The sample should contain some data such as farm name, crop name, and coordinates followed with the knowledge of “Good soil properties”:

Contains a good amount of organic matter.
Does not contain heavy salinity laves
Does not contain heavy metals & Has a good structure

– A panel session represented by Ms. Naglaa Ahmed, The EBDA project manager, conducted with the North Africa Digital Climate Advisory Services (DCAS) event. Sessions address how private sector and investment can be engaged and scaled up to benefit small holder farmers through case study of Economy of Love and carbon credit aligned with Sekem Founder vision since 1977; Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish. Session followed by different questions about the governance system, challenges the system faced with the farmers, how to overcome the small farm size in Egypt, how incentives were given to the farmers.

EBDA Farmers’ Training

A series of field trainings and follow up visits were performed during March by EBDA consultants and engineers as follows:

– EBDA Engineer Hamada Shobak trained 108 Male farmers on conversion and marketing in Fayoum governorate, whereas Dr. Hassan Dahi trained them on biocontrol methods and practices in the field.

– Dr. Saber Hendawy, the EBDA consultant specialist in medicinal and aromatic plants, conducted field visit and training to 22 males in Assiut governorate to black seed demo plot. Where training was on postharvest treatment.

– Dr. Refaat Allam conducted field visits to 20 male farmers in Sohag governorate to follow up with the onion farmers postharvest treatment.

EBDA Marketing and Communication

The EBDA and EoL marketing and communication team plays a pivotal role in enhancing the visibility, impact, and reach of the Egyptian Biodynamic Association and Economy of Love on social media platforms and webpages.

They are working on several learning materials and creating educational videos in different sectors.
They are following up the EBDA upcoming conference. The First African Biodynamic Conference that will be held on 10th -12th May 2024.
How many videos have been published on the Youtube channel?

The Egyptian Biodynamic Association is hosting Africa’s first Biodynamic Conference to explore new agricultural approaches. Focused on climate resilience, youth leadership, and indigenous wisdom, it aims to shape a regenerative future for African farming by connecting international experts with local practitioners for meaningful collaborations. Check the link to learn more and save your spot: ABDC 2024