Mozna: The Egyptian startup converting agricultural wastes into high-nutrient organic fertilizers
The Egypt Nile is one of the most important sources of water in Egypt, particularly for agriculture and domestic water supply. An estimated 80% of Egypt’s water is absorbed by the agricultural sector, the majority of which is sourced from the Nile. The agricultural sector plays a sizable role in Egypt’s economy, contributing about 15% to the GDP and employing more than 25% of the country’s workforce. Given the significance of the sector, innovative technology-driven solutions are critical to boosting the productivity of the agricultural sector and optimizing the use of natural resources. Agricultural runoff and industrial waste are among the major sources of pollutants in the Nile, and a significant portion of this can be attributed to the usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
The need to integrate technology for sustainable agricultural practices, including crop and water management, becomes even more crucial with the growing concern around water scarcity in Egypt. In 2021, Egypt was already facing an annual water deficit of around seven billion cubic meters and the United Nations had warned that Egypt could be categorized as a water-scarce country by 2025. The Nile, an important source of water, is coming under increasing pressure. Improving water management and protecting the livelihoods of smallholder farmers is, therefore, of utmost priority for Egypt.
Many agritech startups have emerged in Egypt in recent years, providing innovative solutions such as soilless farming and hydroponics to adapt to the growing water crisis and soil degradation in the country. Among the various startups that have introduced solutions to these issues is Mozna, a startup that produces highly nutritious liquid organic fertilizers derived from biogas units fueled by agricultural and livestock waste. The fertilizers produced by Mozna help address plant requirements throughout their growth stages, resulting in smallholder farmers increasing farm productivity, minimizing water usage for irrigation, and reducing the use of chemical fertilizers – all of which contribute to savings costs. Its products, named Nub, Mo, and Waj, work differently depending on the stage of the plant growth – while some strengthen seeds, others nourish vegetative growth.
Mozna has made significant strides since its launch in 2019. The agritech startup produces 250,000 liters of organic fertilizers monthly. It supplies its organic fertilizers to more than 4,000 customers in 13 governorates across Upper Egypt and Delta, and the startup hopes to expand its reach across the country and even begin exporting to African countries.
