In Egypt, where agriculture has long been a cornerstone of rural life and economic activity, a quiet shift toward resilience and innovation is underway. Yet, many smallholder farmers—who are at the heart of Egypt's agricultural landscape—face daunting challenges: unpredictable weather, water shortages, and outdated farming methods threaten their livelihoods and the country’s food security. But amid these difficulties, hope shines through in the stories of entrepreneurs determined to drive meaningful change.

The “Making Egypt’s Communities & Agrifood Systems Resilient” project, implemented with the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation and funded by the Government of Japan, aims to breathe new life into Egypt’s agriculture. The project helps farmers, rural communities, and Agritech startups alike by amplifying their voices and introducing them to new tools to grow stronger and adapt to a changing climate. From expanding digital literacy to piloting eco-friendly farming methods, the project focuses on simple but powerful solutions; promoting sustainable growth and resilience.

Over ten days, the project ran a pre-accelerator programme for entrepreneurs and innovators, designed to sharpen their skills, inspire new ideas, and unlock their full potential. The culmination was a Demo Day, where these startups shared their stories and presented their innovations to industry leaders, investors, and government officials. Out of many promising ventures, four solutions rose to the forefront, each with the potential to make a lasting impact on Egypt’s agriculture and farmers lives.

These startups were then given a unique opportunity to engage directly with smallholder farmers in Kafr El Sheikh—presenting their innovations, gathering real-time feedback, and exploring ways to tailor their products to farmer needs. These interactions offered valuable insights into product usability, customer engagement, and marketing approaches, helping bridge the often-wide gap between fast-moving innovation and on-the-ground adoption.

Today, we proudly highlight these remarkable solutions as examples of how innovation can transform challenges into opportunities, aiming to reshape Egypt’s agricultural landscape and strengthen the country’s food security for generations to come.

Farmtopia: Harnessing Data for Smarter Farming

Amr Kamal, co-founder of Farmtopia, describes his company’s mission with simplicity. “We want to turn space and weather data into actionable insights for Egyptian farmers,” he says. Their digital platform uses satellite imagery and geo-data to help farmers understand climate risks, optimize water use, and improve crop management, allowing them to make smarter decisions.

“Before this programme, we never thought we could develop a business plan or engage with investors,” Amr shares. “Now, we have a clear strategy, and we’re ready to expand beyond Egypt to other countries in the Middle East.”

Farmtopia’s innovative approach aims to make climate-smart agriculture accessible for those in remote and vulnerable areas, ensuring they stay resilient amidst changing weather patterns.

Cultivech: Revolutionizing Farming in Arid Lands

Nermeen Embaby, co-founder of Cultivech, introduces her company’s hydroponic systems as a game-changer. “Egypt’s water scarcity is a critical problem,” she explains. “Our systems save over 90% of water and produce healthy, chemical-free vegetables in confined spaces.”