Review article

https://doi.org/10.33128/ag.79.1-2.5

SEKEM - A HOLISTIC INITIATIVE

Ana Poštek orcid.org/0000-0002-1876-7096 ; Zagreb, Hrvatska
Luka Brezinščak orcid.org/0000-0002-4945-8202 ; Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

Founded in 1977 by Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish, SEKEM has evolved from a biodynamic farm to a holding of companies producing and distributing sustainable food, textile and pharmaceutical products, always keeping to the sustainable development principle and community wellbeing values. With net revenues of 292 million Egyptian pounds (15 mil. Euro), SEKEM is among the top producers of organic products worldwide, and the leading producer in the Middle East. Nowadays, SEKEM employs 1,220 people in its companies and foundations and cultivates 16281 Feddans (638,76 ha) with partners. This kind of integrated community which simultaneously tries to combine economic, cultural, social, ecological and political aspects is known as social entrepreneurship. More important, SEKEM has demonstrated the viability in Egypt of new, holistic approaches to development. SEKEM’s initiative in demonstrating the effectiveness of biodynamics methods in agriculture led, in 1993, to the government’s banning of pesticide spraying of cotton crops. Information given in this research is needed to fully understand and apply SEKEM standards in the field of food quality, food safety, environmental performance and the effects of biodynamic farming practices.

Keywords

SEKEM; social entrepreneurship; organic agriculture; sustainable development

Hrčak ID:

186165

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/186165

Publication date:

28.8.2017.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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