Ayman Hamza, co-founder and chief executive of Egypt-based agriculture technology start-up Khodar, has worked in the online industry since 2008, first for Maktoob and later for e-commerce company Souq, which was acquired by Amazon in 2017 for $650 million.
In 2020, he started investing in a few start-ups including Khodar, where he saw significant growth potential. He left Amazon the same year and became chief executive of the company.
Khodar was set up by Yasser Eidrous at the end of 2019 as a business-to-consumer company providing groceries to buyers.
After Mr Hamza joined the company, it transformed to become a business-to-business (B2B) company connecting farmers with various businesses – including supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, hotels, hospitals and catering companies – seeking to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.
“Competition is very high and we saw that we can add more value to the agricultural ecosystem, [thus] the launch in the B2B segment as there is a huge potential for growth," Mr Hamza says.
Currently, Khodar is an integrated agricultural system “that provides demand forecasts and fair price distribution channels to farmers. We also recycle waste into organic fertiliser to enhance soil efficiency and promote the sustainable practice in agriculture”, he says.
Khodar also launched a personal assistant service through WhatsApp to answer farmers' queries on price, transport and recycling, as well as help them to easily display their products and prices to potential customers.
The company has access to 10,000 farmers and is currently active in 16 cities in Egypt. It has two warehouses to distribute fruits and vegetables to different customers.
Mr Hamza is bullish about the growth of the business as Egypt’s population continues to increase, boosting demand for food and other agricultural products.
“There is a growing customer base in Egypt … right now we are 105 million in population and we expect to reach more than 110 million by 2025,” he says.
“Ten per cent of our budget is actually spent on food and the biggest percentage of this budget for vegetables and fruits.”
Egypt produces about 30 million tonnes of fruits and vegetables every year worth $64 billion and “there is a huge opportunity”, he says.
There is also a “huge volume of waste, which constitutes about 18 per cent of the total production, so we evolved our vision to become an integrated agricultural system with recycling of waste”.
The company is looking to export fruits and vegetables from Egypt to different countries in the Middle East.
Egypt exported about $3.3 billion worth of fruits and vegetables in 2021, he says, with agriculture a key driver of economic activity.
The North African country aims to increase agricultural production by 30 per cent between 2020 and 2050, and the sector’s share of exports to a quarter by 2050, from 17 per cent in 2020, according to a report from Oxford Economics, citing data from Egypt’s Ministry of Planning and Economic Development.
Last year, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi launched the “Egypt's Future” agricultural production project.
One of the nation's most significant projects, its main goals include increasing the number of opportunities in the sector, providing high-quality fresh produce at reasonable prices to citizens, closing the production-import gap and achieving food security and self-sufficiency in strategic commodities.
“Egypt is witnessing an agriculture revolution and we can play an important role in it,” Mr Hamza says.
Khodar's business has been growing two times every year since it was launched three years ago. In 2023, its revenue is expected to grow seven times when compared with last year.
The company is focused on expanding to Saudi Arabia, the Arab world’s largest economy, where it hopes to start operations by the end of the year, and is raising funds to achieve this.
“We want to be part of Saudi Vision 2030, which puts emphasis on agriculture development and boosting food security in the kingdom. It is actively investing in projects that promote agricultural sustainability. There are a lot of mega projects in Saudi Arabia to promote farming.”
The company aims to start operations in Riyadh before expanding to the kingdom's eastern region. It is focused on Makkah and Madinah “as there is a huge opportunity with hotels and restaurants”, he says.
Saudi Arabia aims to diversify its economy away from oil as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative. It is focused on the development of a number of sectors in the kingdom, including food, agriculture, tourism and infrastructure.
Last year, Khodar raised $500,000 in an initial funding round that Saudi venture platform Revival Lab and other investors took part in.
Revival Lab is also leading the latest round of funding to help the company expand in the kingdom, he says, without disclosing the total amount of money it plans to raise.
Start-ups across the Middle East, Africa, Pakistan and Turkey raised $7.2 billion through 1,473 deals last year, despite macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, according to a report by data platform Magnitt.
Start-ups in Egypt raised $284 million in the first quarter of this year, the latest data compiled by the platform shows.
“At Khodar, we are proud to be part of this agricultural revolution and contribute to the development and vision of both Egypt and Saudi Arabia,” Mr Hamza says.
“By providing integrated agricultural services that encompass demand forecasts, raw materials, fair-price distribution channels and organic fertiliser production, we align our efforts with the goals of both countries.”
Q&A with Ayman Hamza, co-founder and chief executive of Khodar
What successful start-ups do you wish you could have started?
There are many start-ups in FinTech, as well as in e-commerce, grocery and other sectors, but when you talk about agriculture, there are fewer start-ups that specialise in this segment in Egypt and Saudi Arabia … maybe two or three or a maximum of five start-ups.
So, we don't have a benchmark locally that is doing the same thing as us but there are a lot of success stories in agriculture such as Ninjacart, one of the biggest fresh produce supply chains in India. They have a great success story but they are not providing an integrated system such as we have.
Company%20profile
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What new skills have you learnt in the process of starting the company?
Long-term planning. It is very important, especially in agriculture. It is a huge sector and there is an untapped opportunity. And also one needs to think about the big picture, not only the part of the picture such as supply or the forecast for demand or delivery. Simplifying the technology for the farmers is also very important.
What is your vision for the company?
We aim to play a critical role in enhancing agricultural efficiency and minimising waste and promoting environmentally friendly practices.
Who is your role model?
Ronaldo Mouchawar, the founder of Souq, which was later acquired by Amazon. I learnt a lot from him, especially in the early stage of a start-up – how you should take care of details of your operation and how you should hire and develop your team to become leaders. This is very important to manage a successful start-up.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In ten years, we hope to become part of the agricultural revolution that will happen in our region, especially in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. I also hope to see a lot of start-ups supporting farmers and taking care of sustainability and increasing the efficiency of the agriculture system.
What is your advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Thinking big is very important and also trying to fill a real need for a large audience or segment is also crucial.
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
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Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2a)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BRIEF SCORES
England 353 and 313-8 dec
(B Stokes 112, A Cook 88; M Morkel 3-70, K Rabada 3-85)
(J Bairstow 63, T Westley 59, J Root 50; K Maharaj 3-50)
South Africa 175 and 252
(T Bavuma 52; T Roland-Jones 5-57, J Anderson 3-25)
(D Elgar 136; M Ali 4-45, T Roland-Jones 3-72)
Result: England won by 239 runs
England lead four-match series 2-1
PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS LINE-UP
Men’s:
Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Simon Rosner (GER)
Tarek Momen (EGY)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Nick Matthew (ENG)
Women's:
Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
Raneem El Welily (EGY)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Laura Massaro (ENG)
Joelle King (NZE)
Camille Serme (FRA)
Nouran Gohar (EGY)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
Profile Periscope Media
Founder: Smeetha Ghosh, one co-founder (anonymous)
Launch year: 2020
Employees: four – plans to add another 10 by July 2021
Financing stage: $250,000 bootstrap funding, approaching VC firms this year
Investors: Co-founders
Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
Power 249hp at 5,500rpm
Torque 365Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Gearbox Nine-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined 7.9L/100km
Ukraine%20exports
%3Cp%3EPresident%20Volodymyr%20Zelenskyy%20has%20overseen%20grain%20being%20loaded%20for%20export%20onto%20a%20Turkish%20ship%20following%20a%20deal%20with%20Russia%20brokered%20by%20the%20UN%20and%20Turkey.%3Cbr%3E%22The%20first%20vessel%2C%20the%20first%20ship%20is%20being%20loaded%20since%20the%20beginning%20of%20the%20war.%20This%20is%20a%20Turkish%20vessel%2C%22%20Zelensky%20said%2C%20adding%20exports%20could%20start%20in%20%22the%20coming%20days%22%20under%20the%20plan%20aimed%20at%20getting%20millions%20of%20tonnes%20of%20Ukrainian%20grain%20stranded%20by%20Russia's%20naval%20blockade%20to%20world%20markets.%3Cbr%3E%22Our%20side%20is%20fully%20prepared%2C%22%20he%20said.%20%22We%20sent%20all%20the%20signals%20to%20our%20partners%20--%20the%20UN%20and%20Turkey%2C%20and%20our%20military%20guarantees%20the%20security%20situation.%22%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UFC Fight Night 2
1am – Early prelims
2am – Prelims
4am-7am – Main card
7:30am-9am – press cons
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Khodar%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Cairo%20and%20Alexandria%2C%20in%20Egypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ayman%20Hamza%2C%20Yasser%20Eidrous%20and%20Amr%20El%20Sheikh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20agriculture%20technology%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24500%2C000%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Saudi%20Arabia%E2%80%99s%20Revival%20Lab%20and%20others%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EEmployees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2035%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
