Picture from the archive.

“I chose to work with compost because I am passionate about organic agriculture. I believe it will have a positive impact on our environment.” – Rua’a Hamid, a young entrepreneur in Rural Hasakah.

Rua’a Hamid’s entrepreneurial journey is relatively short, but her business has already had an impact on her entire rural community. In less than a year, the 27-year-old agronomist from rural Hasakah has managed to turn her compost production business into a unique, inter-generational community initiative.

In 2021, Rua’a received specialized training and support from ‘Nabta’, FAO’s entrepreneurship programme for agro-business. The programme introduced her and 22 other young participants to subjects such as marketing and branding, business idea development and planning, and more, and supported them with grants to enable them to put their business ideas into practice.

It is worth mentioning that FAO ‘Nabta’ has so far reached more than 120 young entrepreneurs with grants in Homs, Aleppo, Dara’a, Deir ez-Zor, and Hasakah, and trained overall more than 2 000 individuals on the principles of agri-business. As the new cycle of training workshops continues in new locations within these governorates, more beneficiaries are expected to benefit from the programme, and receive grants.

Doing more with less

Rua’a was always passionate about the environment, leading her to choose compost production, an organic fertilizer made using livestock manure and agricultural residues. She had previously experimented with the production of 500 kg compost before joining ‘Nabta’, the experiment proved that she could successfully run a compost operation on a larger scale. After receiving ‘Nabta’ business training, Rua’a was eligible for a ‘Nabta’ grant, which provided her with the necessary equipment to start producing dry and liquid compost – allowing her to buy the solar panels, cisterns, thermometers, and other tools that she needed.

The project faced a few challenges as the primary organic inputs required to produce compost are plants and manure. While plant residues and sawdust were available to buy from nearby farmers, cow manure was hardly available, but she has since substituted sheep droppings instead.

The farmers’ demand for compost has already encouraged Rua’a to employ four individuals and expand her business. This expansion enabled Rua’a to produce and sell 20 tonnes of compost, enough to fertilize 10 to 20 hectares of land. Although she was the only supplier of compost in the 50-60 surrounding villages, demand was slow at first – people were not used to buying compost as an input – but Rua’a responded with a promotion campaign.

Spreading a modern eco-friendly practice

While the older generation of farmers were reluctant to use an unfamiliar form of fertilizer, Rua’a organized free weekly sessions to discuss modern and eco-friendly agricultural practices with local farmers, and explain the benefits of using compost for plant cultivation.

Rua’a believes that these sessions will spread knowledge between farmers. The impact can be augmented as paid workers are regularly brought in to help with crop harvests, and can spread the practices they observe to other farms. “I took the initiative to spread eco-friendly farming practices that will help farmers improve their food production by using an eco-friendly compost” she explains: “This will also spread among farmers and workers who move from farm to farm.”

The sessions were successful, Rua’a was contacted to replicate in seven other villages, with attendance from both male and female farmers. She also added two agronomists to the team to give the sessions, one of them a fellow ‘Nabta’ trainee.

As the sessions invited farmers from all ages, Rua’a believes that young and motivated farmers can learn from older neighbours about plant diseases and pest control.  In exchange, they can introduce older farmers to modern agricultural practices such as using trays to grow seedlings and compost as an organic fertilizer. Attendees have indeed started using these methods to grow tomato and lettuce with notable success: “I hope we can establish a training center and make the sessions available for everyone.” Said Roa’a. 

Eyes on the future

Rua’a believes that the impact of the ‘Nabta’ programme goes beyond receiving production tools and support. She says it has equipped beneficiaries with the skills and mindset to become successful and make a positive change in society, which is clearly reflected in the way she is managing her business. “Nabta taught me to lead my project. I learned about teamwork, the importance of time management and discipline, and how to be professional and commit to work in a serious manner,” she explains.

Having established her business as a reliable compost supplier, she is now receiving consistent orders from customers looking to buy both dry and liquid compost (“tea”). As the project progresses into its next production cycle, Rua’a’s plan now is to purchase a shredder to process plant residues in-house, cutting out the middlemen who provide this input, and saving herself the extra cost. Rua’a’s personal and professional course is on the right track to success, with a clear positive impact on her life and that of her family, as well as spreading a positive “energy” within her community.