Building on its longstanding commitment to sustainable farming, SEKEM has signed a cooperation agreement for the “Towards Organic Agriculture” project with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Matrouh Governorate, the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), and IEOC Production B.V., representing Eni.

The agreement — signed during EGYPES 2025 — marks a turning point for organic agriculture in western Matrouh. The signing ceremony brought together H.E. Eng. Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources; Major General Khaled Shoeib, Governor of Matrouh; Eng. Francesco Gasparri, General Manager of IEOC; Eng. Salah AbdelKerim, CEO of EGPC; and Mr. Helmy Abouleish, CEO of SEKEM Group.

Around 700 farmers in Matrouh will get support to transition to organic farming under the “Towards Organic Agriculture” project. The initiative also integrates participants into a carbon credit certification system, offering new income streams and advancing Egypt’s sustainability agenda. This system allows farmers to earn additional income by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and sequestering carbon, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.

SEKEM's “Economy of Love” (EoL) certification standard plays a crucial role in this initiative. EoL promotes sustainable, ethical, and transparent practices throughout the supply chain, ensuring fair compensation and protection for all stakeholders. By integrating EoL principles, the project not only supports organic farming but also fosters a holistic approach to sustainability, balancing economic, social, cultural, and environmental dimensions.

Full-spectrum support is at the core of the initiative, which equips smallholder farmers with organic inputs, composting tools, and photovoltaic systems for irrigation. It also facilitates organic certification and market access and integrates farmers into carbon credit systems to help boost their earnings.

Tags: