Nestlé Egypt, in partnership with engazaat, has announced the launch of the second phase of the award-winning “Grow It Smart – From Egypt’s Goodness to the World” Program, expanding its efforts to support sustainable agriculture and empower farming communities across Egypt.
The new phase aims to train more than 1,000 participants from across the agricultural sector, including smallholder farmers, agricultural professionals, researchers, and agritech entrepreneurs, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to adopt sustainable farming practices during 2026.
First Phase Successfully Trained 1,000 Agricultural Participants
The launch of the second phase follows the successful completion of the program’s first year, during which 1,000 participants received intensive training on smart water and energy management, sustainable agricultural practices, and financial literacy.
The training helped participants improve the sustainability and economic efficiency of their agricultural operations while strengthening their ability to manage resources more effectively.
During its first phase, the program expanded across 10 Egyptian governorates, including Cairo, Qalyubia, Giza, Fayoum, Matrouh, Beheira, Minya, Assiut, Sohag, and Qena.
By addressing the specific needs of different agricultural communities, the program continues to work toward its long-term goal of reaching more than 5,000 farmers and agricultural professionals over five years.
Nestlé Egypt: Sustainable Development Starts with Investing in People
Tarek Kamel, Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé Egypt, said the success of the Grow It Smart Program during its first year reflects the company’s belief that sustainable development begins with investing in people.
He highlighted the importance of the partnership with engazaat in expanding the program’s reach and enabling more farmers to adopt efficient and sustainable agricultural practices, contributing to a more resilient agricultural sector and supporting food security in Egypt.
Kamel added that the achievements of the first phase represent a significant milestone and provide a foundation for further expansion, including reaching more governorates, engaging additional farmers, and strengthening partnerships to maximize the program’s developmental impact.
He emphasized that Nestlé Egypt aims to establish Grow It Smart as a scalable model for sustainable agricultural development that can be expanded across Egypt and beyond.
engazaat: Empowering Farmers Through Practical Sustainable Solutions
Muhammad El Demerdash, Co-Founder and CEO of engazaat, stated that empowering smallholder farmers has remained a key priority since the company began developing and operating clean energy projects in Egypt.
He explained that farmers represent a fundamental pillar in building a more efficient, sustainable, and resilient agricultural sector.
Through the strategic partnership with Nestlé Egypt under the Grow It Smart Program, engazaat has developed a model that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, enabling farmers and agricultural professionals, both men and women, to adopt modern farming techniques and improve resource management.
El Demerdash added that the second phase will focus on expanding the program’s impact and reaching more agricultural communities across Egypt, noting that the success of the first phase demonstrates the potential for this model to be replicated across other development sectors.
Enhancing Training to Meet Agricultural Community Needs
Feedback and experiences shared by participants during the first phase contributed to refining the program’s training curriculum and improving its effectiveness.
The updated approach ensures that the program better addresses the diverse needs of agricultural communities while supporting the transition toward more sustainable and resilient production practices.
This reflects the continued commitment of Nestlé Egypt and engazaat to investing in agricultural development and supporting farmers through innovative solutions that create long-term economic and environmental value.
Award-Winning Program Supports Agricultural Innovation and Sustainability
The Grow It Smart Program represents a successful model of collaboration between the private sector and development partners.
Its achievements were recognized at the Egypt Entrepreneurship Awards 2025, where the program received the “Disruptive Duo for Market Innovation” award in recognition of its role in advancing agricultural innovation, empowering local communities, and promoting sustainable development practices.
The program aligns with Egypt Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by accelerating the transition toward smart agriculture, improving natural resource efficiency, and empowering smallholder farmers.
Through these efforts, Grow It Smart contributes to building a more sustainable agricultural ecosystem while creating measurable economic and environmental benefits for farmers, local communities, and Egypt’s economy.
