Nestlé Egypt and engazaat Launch “Grow it Smart – From Egypt to the World” to Empower Young Farmers and Advance Local Food Production

Nestlé Egypt, in partnership with engazaat, has officially launched “Grow it Smart – From Egypt to the World,” a strategic program designed to build the capacities of young professionals, smallholder farmers, and agripreneurs, in line with their commitment to sustainable development and the empowerment of rural communities. The initiative aims to enhance the resilience of Egypt’s agricultural sector by promoting sustainable water and energy practices in food production, addressing environmental and economic challenges, while driving local food security.

The program adopts a holistic approach to tackling the Water-Energy-Food nexus, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and food production quality. Through practical training and field visits to model farms, the initiative seeks to improve natural resource efficiency and sustainably increase land productivity. This aligns with Egypt’s broader transition toward a green economy and food self-sufficiency.

The initiative is anchored in three main objectives: promoting sustainable agricultural practices rooted in environmental innovation, improving water and energy efficiency, and supporting the development of adaptive, resilient agricultural value chains.

“We are excited to launch (Grow it Smart – From Egypt to the World,) a program that demonstrates our strong commitment to supporting Egypt’s agricultural sector,” stated Tarek Kamel, Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé Egypt. “By equipping young farmers and smallholders with international-standard skills and practical knowledge, we can help them access global markets and unlock export opportunities. This program represents a crucial step toward making a real impact on the ground. We look forward to implementing this initiative alongside engazaat across multiple governorates to reach rural communities nationwide.”

The program responds to escalating environmental and economic challenges in Egypt and the wider MENA region, namely water scarcity, energy stress, and declining food system efficiency. Built on the “Resource Nexus” concept, the training enables participants to address these issues through an integrated lens. The program is also aligned with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on innovation, environmental stewardship, and inclusive growth.

Furthermore, Muhammad El-Demerdash, Co-founder and CEO of engazaatstated: “At engazaat, we believe that true agricultural transformation begins with empowering individuals at the grassroots level. Our partnership with Nestlé Egypt reflects our shared commitment to building resilient, local farming communities through practical training on the efficient use of water and energy resources. By adopting the Water-Energy-Food Nexus approach, we aim to unlock innovative solutions that strengthen food security, support climate adaptation, and create real opportunities for Egyptian rural livelihoods.”

As part of its regional expansion, engazaat will lead and implement the program as the principal execution partner through its knowledge services arm, Vertex Ventures, which brings extensive field expertise in developing and operating integrated agricultural infrastructure solutions. Nestlé Egypt will provide strategic sponsorship and knowledge support, in alignment with its global commitment to sustainability and inclusive agricultural value chains.

The program will be rolled out across Greater Cairo, Fayoum, Matrouh, Beheira, Minya, Assiut, Sohag, Qena, and New Valley, aiming to benefit 600 participants by the end of 2025, with a long-term goal of reaching 5,000 beneficiaries over the next five years.

“Grow it Smart – From Egypt to the World” serves as a strong model of public-private collaboration, with the potential to create a lasting impact across Egypt’s agricultural sector. By empowering farming communities and scaling sustainable solutions, the initiative aims to contribute to long-term economic and societal stability.