Not a single drop more!
Agri-tech start-up Baramoda creates moisture-retaining biofertilizers from agricultural waste to conserve the county’s precious water resources
Egypt, like other arid regions of the world, suffers from severe water scarcity. The Nile River, the backbone of Egypt’s industrial and agricultural sector, is also the primary source of drinking water. Approximately 1.5 cubic meters of water per person per day of internal renewable freshwater resources are available. In 2020, Egypt is set to exceed the amount of water it has by 20%. Agricultural activities use 85% of Egypt’s water resources. Water shortages are expected to become more frequent as the region becomes drier, as heatwaves become more common, and as the population grows. Baramoda is developing organic fertilizers, or biofertilizers, by composting agricultural waste products that can be adapted to different soil types and crops. By adding additional organic matter to the soil that can better retain soil moisture, Baramoda says that the application of their fertilizers can reduce the need for irrigation by 30%.