Kheir Ardena

When it comes to establishing an inclusive and resilient dairy sector, every step taken towards localizing feed production is key. Local feed production not only contributes to mitigating environmental challenges, but also fosters economic growth and community resilience.

In 2022, Danone Ecosystem alongside Solidaridad NGO and Danone co-created the Kheir Ardena project in Egypt. The goal: developing local and sustainable soybean production using regenerative methods, while empowering 2,000+ Egyptian soya farmers through comprehensive trainings, the provision of essential tools, and financial support.

Kheir Ardena aims for local self-sufficiency, reducing import bills and simultaneously preserving the environment by minimizing carbon emissions. By supporting local farmers and promoting sustainable practices, it seeks to strengthen Egypt’s dairy sector and reduce dependency on imported soya.

The Kheir Ardena project aimed to establish an inclusive and resilient dairy sector through local feed production, benefitting the whole ecosystem. The project has involved partnership among Danone Egypt, Danone Ecosystem Fund, and Solidaridad.

The project works by:

• Engaging local farmers: Around 2,100 farmers across 16 villages in Beni Suef and Minya have participated in the program, receiving technical support and training on soy cultivation.
• Improving farming practices: Farmers are supported via regenerative agriculture techniques, including soil analysis, optimized irrigation, reduced use of fertilizers and pesticides, and improved seed practices. These methods have led to better crop quality, higher yields, and lower production costs.
• Providing access to quality inputs: The project helps farmers connect with suppliers of high-quality and traceable agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and herbicides.
• Strengthening farmer incomes: Through improved productivity and reduced costs, farmers have seen an estimated 60% increase in profits on average, €165 in additional income per farmer.
• Supporting long-term sustainability: Farmers are encouraged to transition more land to soyand replace other high-cost crops,;they show increased interest in continuing soy cultivation as a livelihood.