The focus on sustainable solutions has never been stronger.
As the world gathered in Dubai for the Cop28 climate summit this month and battered out a last-minute agreement, much of the focus during the event was also on supporting innovation within the sustainability space.
For Lebanon-based Nada Ghanem, the idea of starting an agriculture technology company came after the scientific researcher, who was studying biodiversity, realised what a major role earthworms play in producing fertile soil.
“What struck me the most is that people were not aware of this reality, especially farmers, so farmers used to step on worms or kill them by physical pressure because they think it's a harmful pest,” she says.
“That alone made me really realise that I have a mission to raise awareness about the important role that earthworms play in our ecosystem and spread knowledge and awareness among the public and particularly among farmers.”
But while raising awareness, she started receiving enquiries about how to buy products featuring vermicompost – earthworm-produced waste – which led to the birth of Dooda Solutions.
Dooda means worm in Arabic, and “people perceive it as a negative thing”, Ms Ghanem, the company's founder and managing director, says.
“I chose this word boldly, to bring [it] to the attention of people … and then they cannot forget our name. So, you have a negative thing, but we are transforming the perception.”
The company manufactures vermicompost at its 2,000-square metre “farm” in Lebanon, with products ranging from soil to liquid fertilisers.
“The worms are raised and fed organic waste. Our process involves recycling waste, which is an important aspect for circular economy. So we recycle organic waste, we feed it to the worms, the worms will eat it up and produce the worm poop, which is vermicompost,” she says.
“This product is odourless, the entire process is odourless and aerobic – so it doesn't involve any heat or temperature increase. So the product at the end is a natural product – we bring nature to nature.”
The vermicompost aims to restore soil health by improving its structure, increasing nutrient availability and boosting microbial activity.
“We use advanced nano technologies in producing liquid vermicompost and we are the pioneers in Lebanon and in the region in such production and such products.
“We're proud of that. It's very challenging to be a pioneer because you have to do all the work, from raising awareness to convincing farmers and so on, but we are happy that we are making a difference,” Ms Ghanem says.
Dooda Solutions currently supplies its products only in Lebanon, but is in the process of gaining export licences to send its products to other countries in the Mena region in the next three months.
The expansion comes after the start-up won PepsiCo’s Mena greenhouse accelerator programme, which took place in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Food Tech Valley, in November.
Dooda Solutions was chosen from 180 applicants after a multi-stage selection process and six months of mentorship, and was awarded a $100,000 grant, along with opportunities to scale its business.
“With the support of PepsiCo we were able to access several markets in the region, for example, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, and we're working on materialising these partnerships with some of the biggest farms in the region,” Ms Ghanem says.
“We also aim to go further and establish Dooda farms across the region. And the main idea behind our business is to support local food security, and support and enhance climate resilience.
“We want to be located in each country to provide a localised fertiliser solution that can support food security when all the borders are closed, when there are political challenges or environmental challenges or natural challenges.”
The region’s agriculture sector needs products specialised for its needs, says Ms Ghanem.
The dominant soil is sandy, with low nutrients, zero water-holding capacity and high salinity, which makes it challenging for farmers to grow produce, especially in hot climates. This makes them heavily dependant on chemical fertilisers, which are more expensive, Ms Ghanem says.
But switching to organic fertilisers will improve yield, she stresses.
Countries across the region, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, have been prioritising food security as a key part of their national strategies.
The UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051 aims to put the country at the top of the Global Food Security Index by 2051.
It sets out plans to develop a national system based on enabling sustainable food production by using modern technology, while enhancing local production.
The country aims to boost the contribution of food and agriculture to its economy by $10 billion and create 20,000 jobs in the next five years, Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq said in September.
He highlighted measures being taken to transform the food and agriculture sector with an emphasis on domestic innovation, a UAE-first culture and food supply chain, and giving farmers the necessary support and resources to make the country a global leader in AgriTech and sustainability.
Saudi Arabia is also investing heavily in developing the local agriculture sector as part of its Vision 2030 diversification agenda.
In line with that, the AgriTech industry in the Mena region attracted around $250 million in funding in 2022.
In June, Emirates Development Bank, the UAE state-owned lender that provides financing for the country's priority sectors, also introduced an AgriTech loans programme, with plans to allocate Dh100 million ($27.2 million) in financing support for the country's food security sector.
Dooda Solutions, which was bootstrapped by Ms Ghanem, has so far raised $300,000 in equity-free funding.
“We did break even, but we are reinvesting our profits back into the company because we still want to improve further,” she says.
“For example, in the coming few months, we will be introducing pelletised vermicompost. This will allow us to have a bigger share in the market, addressing potato farms and large-scale farms.”
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While the company has big plans, Ms Ghanem admits that the journey so far has not been easy, especially as a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated industry.
“It was very challenging, especially that I am a lady in agriculture and waste management … So it took time for people to take me seriously.
“And the entire concept of earthworms was mocked. But this did not affect my will and my efforts because I knew exactly what I was doing. And I knew that with time people will realise the significance of the work I'm doing,” she says.
“I wanted to do everything to make it happen, so for me, I enjoyed the process … because I was creating something out of nothing. It was a personal choice and personal commitment to make it happen.”
Q&A with Nada Ghanem, founder and managing director, Dooda Solutions
Who is your role model?
Everyone who’s innovative and is a high achiever is a role model … [those] who [have been] able to make a difference and push boundaries and create something useful to the community.
If you could start all over again, is there anything you would do differently?
I’m proud that I [took] the right decisions throughout the years.
Any other successful company that you wish you had started?
I still have time to start other companies and I'm working on that as well. I don't like wishing or wishful thinking, I'm a go-getter and so I believe we still have time to create several things.
What new skills have you learnt in setting up this company?
Patience and time management, definitely.
What is your advice to other entrepreneurs?
Entrepreneurship is creating something new, something innovative.
Entrepreneurs and real innovators, they have to validate their solution, validate their ideas, really put a lot of effort on validating, on trial and error before spending a lot of time and before investing in businesses.
So it's OK if the idea proves not efficient or not profitable – you can ditch it and look into something else. Don't get too attached to the idea of starting a certain company.
What is your vision?
My vision is to grow Dooda globally and become the largest player in this domain in the world.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
INVESTMENT PLEDGES
Cartlow: $13.4m
Rabbitmart: $14m
Smileneo: $5.8m
Soum: $4m
imVentures: $100m
Plug and Play: $25m
Disturbing%20facts%20and%20figures
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E51%25%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20of%20parents%20in%20the%20UAE%20feel%20like%20they%20are%20failing%20within%20the%20first%20year%20of%20parenthood%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E57%25%20vs%2043%25%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20is%20the%20number%20of%20mothers%20versus%20the%20number%20of%20fathers%20who%20feel%20they%E2%80%99re%20failing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E28%25%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20of%20parents%20believe%20social%20media%20adds%20to%20the%20pressure%20they%20feel%20to%20be%20perfect%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E55%25%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20of%20parents%20cannot%20relate%20to%20parenting%20images%20on%20social%20media%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E67%25%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20of%20parents%20wish%20there%20were%20more%20honest%20representations%20of%20parenting%20on%20social%20media%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E53%25%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20of%20parents%20admit%20they%20put%20on%20a%20brave%20face%20rather%20than%20being%20honest%20due%20to%20fear%20of%20judgment%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%2014px%3B%22%3ESource%3A%20YouGov%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Sri Lanka squad for tri-nation series
Angelo Mathews (c), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Janith Perera, Thisara Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Shehan Madushanka, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan and Wanidu Hasaranga
THE SPECS
Touareg Highline
Engine: 3.0-litre, V6
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 340hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh239,312
How to keep control of your emotions
If your investment decisions are being dictated by emotions such as fear, greed, hope, frustration and boredom, it is time for a rethink, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG, says.
Greed
Greedy investors trade beyond their means, open more positions than usual or hold on to positions too long to chase an even greater gain. “All too often, they incur a heavy loss and may even wipe out the profit already made.
Tip: Ignore the short-term hype, noise and froth and invest for the long-term plan, based on sound fundamentals.
Fear
The risk of making a loss can cloud decision-making. “This can cause you to close out a position too early, or miss out on a profit by being too afraid to open a trade,” he says.
Tip: Start with a plan, and stick to it. For added security, consider placing stops to reduce any losses and limits to lock in profits.
Hope
While all traders need hope to start trading, excessive optimism can backfire. Too many traders hold on to a losing trade because they believe that it will reverse its trend and become profitable.
Tip: Set realistic goals. Be happy with what you have earned, rather than frustrated by what you could have earned.
Frustration
Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.
Tip: Accept in advance that asset price movements are completely unpredictable and you will suffer losses at some point. These can be managed, say, by attaching stops and limits to your trades.
Boredom
Too many investors buy and sell because they want something to do. They are trading as entertainment, rather than in the hope of making money. As well as making bad decisions, the extra dealing charges eat into returns.
Tip: Open an online demo account and get your thrills without risking real money.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Sheikh Zayed's poem
When it is unveiled at Abu Dhabi Art, the Standing Tall exhibition will appear as an interplay of poetry and art. The 100 scarves are 100 fragments surrounding five, figurative, female sculptures, and both sculptures and scarves are hand-embroidered by a group of refugee women artisans, who used the Palestinian cross-stitch embroidery art of tatreez. Fragments of Sheikh Zayed’s poem Your Love is Ruling My Heart, written in Arabic as a love poem to his nation, are embroidered onto both the sculptures and the scarves. Here is the English translation.
Your love is ruling over my heart
Your love is ruling over my heart, even a mountain can’t bear all of it
Woe for my heart of such a love, if it befell it and made it its home
You came on me like a gleaming sun, you are the cure for my soul of its sickness
Be lenient on me, oh tender one, and have mercy on who because of you is in ruins
You are like the Ajeed Al-reem [leader of the gazelle herd] for my country, the source of all of its knowledge
You waddle even when you stand still, with feet white like the blooming of the dates of the palm
Oh, who wishes to deprive me of sleep, the night has ended and I still have not seen you
You are the cure for my sickness and my support, you dried my throat up let me go and damp it
Help me, oh children of mine, for in his love my life will pass me by.
Fines for littering
In Dubai:
Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro
Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle.
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle
In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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