Goumbook’s inaugural MENAT Regenerative Agriculture Summit successfully concluded on May 15, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Under the patronage of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this groundbreaking event brought together over 150 regional and global stakeholders to chart a unified path toward climate-resilient agriculture.
Cultivating Soil Capital: a regional call to action
The summit, centered around the theme “Cultivating Soil Capital: Regenerative Food Systems & Nature-Based Solutions,” delivered a powerful call to action to scale regenerative agriculture across the MENAT region. As the first dedicated platform for regenerative farming in the region, the event convened policymakers, academics, innovators, and investors to advance nature-based solutions for food security.
The summit featured royal endorsements with opening remarks delivered by HRH Princess Mashael AlShalan, highlighting the critical role of regional leadership in advancing regenerative food systems strategies.
Research backed, nature-based solutions take center stage
A highlight of the summit was the Innovation Demo & Exhibition showcasing 20 shortlisted solutions from Goumbook’s MENAT Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme cohort 2024/2025. The live pitch finale revealed the three winners, each receiving $20,000 in grants, mentorship, and incubation opportunities:
- Actinobacteria – Water stress tolerant actinobacteria for arid soils, Omaima MARHANE, Morocco
- Farm to 2Fs – Converting animal waste into bioenergy & fertilizer, Estidama team, KSA
- RedDot – RNA-based selective control for Red Palm Weevil, UK team
These solutions address critical challenges including water scarcity, soil health, combating desertification, and biodiversity loss – demonstrating the potential of nature based solutions and innovation to transform food systems.
Addressing Regional Agricultural Challenges
The summit addressed urgent challenges facing the MENAT region, where irrigated agriculture consumes around 85% of renewable water resources, and approximately 45% of agricultural land is impacted by salinity and erosion. Regenerative agriculture offers viable solutions for the region’s desert integrated farming needs through resilient crop varieties requiring less water and reduced chemical inputs.
High-level panels tackled critical topics including policy frameworks for sustainable farming, scaling agriculture research innovation, and unlocking green finance mechanisms for soil regeneration and carbon sequestration projects.
Building Momentum for Transformation
Tatiana Antonelli Abella, Founder and Managing Director of Goumbook, reflected: “This summit represents a major milestone in our journey to regenerate ecosystems and transform agriculture in water-scarce regions. The MENAT region holds immense potential to lead the way in climate resilient agriculture innovations as a center of excellence for climate resilient agriculture.”
A closed-door regional consultation established the foundation for developing a regenerative agriculture framework that positions MENAT as a global seedbed of innovation. The insights will be published in an upcoming Outcomes & Insights Paper, serving as a regional blueprint for action.
The MENAT Regenerative Agriculture Initiative is implemented by Goumbook in partnership with Saudi Awwal Bank and HSBC Bank Middle East, with technical support from EIT Food and the UN Climate Change High Level Champions.
Stay tuned for more updates on advancing climate-resilient agriculture across the MENAT region.
To learn more or express interest in the 2025 cohort, visit www.RegenerativeAgricultureVenture.com or email us at ask@goumbook.com. Let’s build climate-resilient food systems—together.
Investing in Impact and Scale
Each venture received tailored mentorship, regional exposure, and the opportunity to pitch to an audience of global stakeholders. The programme focused on helping founders refine their business models and develop go-to-market strategies for scaling.
Key partners of MENAT RAVP include Goumbook, HSBC, PepsiCo, and the PepsiCo Foundation. Strategic support was also provided by the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the University of Leeds, Berytech, and Emirates Nature-WWF.
What’s Next?
MENAT RAVP continues to grow its regional community of innovators and knowledge partners. The goal is to strengthen the MENAT region’s role in shaping the future of regenerative agriculture globally.
If you are a researcher, entrepreneur, or organisation working on sustainable agriculture in arid environments, we’d love to hear from you.
Get Involved
To learn more or express interest in the 2025 cohort, visit www.RegenerativeAgricultureVenture.com or email us at ask@goumbook.com. Let’s build climate-resilient food systems—together.