Morocco-based agritech startup Sand to Green raised USD 1 mn in seed funding to shore up food security using agroforestry tech, according to a company statement. Funds were raised from Norway-based VC outfit Katapult and Nairobi-based VC fund Catalyst, as well as other angel and undisclosed investors.

Where’s the money going? The company will use the funding to launch an agroforestry plantation spanning some 20 hectares and will prepare to roll out hundreds more projects in the Moroccan desert, the statement notes. Sand to Green will also use the capital for research and development before expanding further into the remainder of Africa.

About Sand to Green: The startup developed software plantation models specifically suited to dry environments. On the sustainability front, Sand to Green says it will use solar-powered desalination units to source its irrigation needs, will use drip irrigation techniques to minimize water wastage, and will collect field and satellite data on a daily basis to manage their plantations, according to the company’s website.

Not the only MENA-based startup Catalyst is backing: Catalyst Fund said it would invest USD 2 mn in 10 African startups focused on climate resilience last month. Each of the startups will receive USD 100k in equity financing and another USD 100k for venture building assistance. Sand to Green, Egyptian waste management company Bekia, and Egyptian agritech firm Visual and AI solutions are among the recipients.

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