The African Biodynamic Conference
10th - 12th May, 2024
The Egyptian Biodynamic Association is launching Africa’s first Biodynamic Conference to explore innovative approaches, share knowledge, and foster connections. With a focus on climate resilience, youth leadership, and indigenous wisdom, the conference aims to shape a unique, regenerative agricultural future in Africa. Engaging international experts and African/local practitioners, the event seeks meaningful connections and collaborations.
We want to focus on the beauty and nourishment of a living farm. Wealth and quantity will follow
We want to focus on the beauty and nourishment of a living farm. Wealth and quantity will follow
The Biodynamic Conference will address
the Biodynamic Farming Impact on different sectors


Environment
Enhancing soil health, vitality, and biodiversity, while reducing synthetic chemical reliance, preserving heirloom and indigenous varieties, and promoting improved ecological balance and reduced erosion.

Climate change
Facilitating carbon sequestration in healthy soils, lowering greenhouse gas emissions by reducing synthetic inputs, and adapting to climate variability through holistic farming practices.

Economy
Biodynamic products can tap into niche markets with premium pricing, while also reducing input costs and enhancing local and regional economic resilience through sustainable agriculture.

Human development
Fostering a stronger connection to the land, stewardship, and a holistic understanding of agriculture presents opportunities for meaningful human and community engagement in farming.

Biodynamic Preparations
Scaling up biodynamic production while innovating to ensure sufficient preparation capacity for all biodynamic farmers.

Research & Development
Conducting collaborative research to develop a straightforward and comprehensible curriculum, offering online workshops and field training to ensure accessibility for all biodynamic farmers.

Networking
Demonstration farms showcase the positive impact of BD methods, with a platform for an inclusive African BD movement, promoting collaboration among associations for greater impact and networking.

Economy of Love Sustainable Approach
Advocating for shared principles and policies while promoting an economic model aligned with Biodynamic farming principles.
Agenda
Time | Theme of the day “ECOLOGY” at SEKEM Farm |
07:00-08:00 AM | Breakfast at SEKEM Guesthouse for the Guesthouse residents |
07:30-08:30 AM | Transportation from Heliopolis University to SEKEM farm for participants coming from Cairo |
08:30 – 09:00 AM | Opening of the conference at SEKEM Farm by Mr.Helmy Abouleish |
09:00 – 10:00 AM | Key-Note: Contribution of Biodynamic Agriculture to Ecological Balance in Africa
Questions and Answers |
10:00 – 10:30 AM | Break |
10:30 – 01:00 PM | SEKEM Farm Tour 4 Groups |
01:00 – 01:30 PM | Friday Prayer |
01:30 – 02:45 PM | Lunch Break |
2:45-3:00 PM | Sekem Children Choir conducted by Treasa Nagi |
03:00 – 04:15 PM | Presentations: YIRABAH Community, Gambia
Kasuku Organics, Uganda
Economy of Love Ecosystem Credits
Questions and Answers |
04:15 – 04:30 PM | Break |
04:30 – 06:00 PM | Presentations: The Progress on Organic Farming and the Potential Towards Biodynamic Farming
The Potential Towards Biodynamic Farming- Biodynamic Seed Breeding
Krumhuk Farm Namibia
Questions and Answers |
06:00 – 07:00 PM | Celebrating Earth Through Planting Trees |
07:00 PM | Transportation from SEKEM to Heliopolis University for participants returning to Cairo |
07:00 PM | Dinner at SEKEM Guesthouse for the Guesthouse residents |
08:30 PM | Coffee and tea in the SEKEM guesthouse garden with a bonfire and oriental music |
Time | Theme of the day “EDUCATION” at Heliopolis University |
07:00-08:00 AM | Breakfast at SEKEM Guesthouse for the Guesthouse residents |
08:00 AM | Transportation from SEKEM Farm to Heliopolis University for the Guesthouse residents |
09:00-09:30 AM | Opening of the day and Music |
09:30 – 11:00 AM | Key-Note: Biodynamic Education and Training in Africa
Scientific Biodynamic Research
DOC Trial in Egypt
Questions and Answers |
11:00 – 11:30 PM | Break |
11:30 – 12:00 PM | Body Percussion with Nana Woo |
12:00 – 1:30 PM | Presentations: Kufunda Community
Innovative Agricultural Practices in Arid Land
Biodynamic Training Course
Questions and Answers |
1:30- 03:00 PM | Lunch Break |
03:00 – 03:45 PM | Egyptian Eurythmy Performance “Egyptian Fantasy”,
|
03:45-05:30 PM | Group Work- Action Plan Part 1 |
05:30- 06:30PM | Transportation from Heliopolis University to Sekem Farm for the Guesthouse residents |
07:00 PM | Dinner at SEKEM Guesthouse residence for the Guesthouse residents |
08:00 PM | Coffee and tea in the SEKEM guesthouse garden with a bonfire and oriental music |
Time | Theme of the day “ECONOMY” at Heliopolis University |
07:00-07:50 AM | Breakfast at SEKEM Guesthouse for the Guesthouse residents |
07:50-10:00 AM | SEKEM factories tour (Isis/Lotus/Naturtex) for the Sekem Farm residents |
10:00 AM | Transportation from SEKEM Farm to Heliopolis University for the Guesthouse residents |
11:00 – 11:15 AM | Opening of the day with Music |
11:15 – 12:15 PM | Key-Notes Economy of Love
Smallholder Farmers: Big Impactful Ideas
Questions and Answers |
12:15 – 12:30 PM | Break |
12:30 – 1:30 PM | Presentations: Agro-services in Different Organizations in Organic Agriculture
Questions and Answers |
1:30 – 03:00 PM | Lunch Break |
3:00 – 03:30 PM | Social Art: Joy of being together with Nana Woo |
03:30 – 04:00 PM | Presentations: Impact of Knowledge Hub: An overview About Organic Agriculture in Morocco and Tunisia
Questions and Answers |
04:00 – 05:00 PM | Group Work- Action Plan Part 2 |
05:00 – 05:45 PM | Co-creating Initiatives for Africa |
05:45-06:00PM | Closing of the conference |
06:00 PM | Transportation from Heliopolis University to Sekem Farm for the Guesthouse residents |
07:00 PM | Dinner at SEKEM Guesthouse for the Guesthouse residents |
08:00 PM | Coffee and tea in the SEKEM guesthouse garden with a bonfire and oriental music |
Time | Theme of the day “ECOLOGY” at SEKEM farm |
07:00-08:00 AM | Breakfast at SEKEM Guesthouse for the Guesthouse residence |
07:30-08:30 AM | Transportation from HU to SEKEM farm for participants in Cairo |
08:30 – 09:00 AM | Opening of the conference at SEKEM Farm by Mr.Helmy Abouleish |
09:00 – 10:00 AM | Key-Note: Keynote Speakers: Hassan Abou Bakr Feya Marice Luca Macharia |
10:00 – 10:30 AM | Break |
10:30 – 01:00 PM | SEKEM Farm Tour 5 Groups |
01:00 – 01:30 PM | Friday Prayer |
01:30 – 03:00 PM | Lunch Break |
03:00 – 04:30 PM | Workshops |
04:30 – 05:00 PM | Break |
05:00 – 06:00 PM | Showcase presentation: |
06:00 – 07:00 PM | Planting Trees |
07:00 PM | Dinner at SEKEM Guesthouse for the Guesthouse residence |
08:30 PM | Arabic Music & Sitting at the Fire in the SEKEM Garden for the Guesthouse residence |
08:30 PM | Arabic Music & Sitting at the Fire in the SEKEM Garden for the Guesthouse residence |
Time | Theme of the day “EDUCATION” at Heliopolis University |
07:00-08:00 AM | Breakfast at SEKEM Guesthouse for the Guesthouse residence |
08:00 AM | Drive from SEKEM Farm to Heliopolis University |
09:00-09:15 AM | Opening of the day and Music |
09:15 – 10:30 AM | Key-Notes: Keynote Speakers: Juergen Fritz |
10:30 – 11:00 PM | Break |
11:00 – 12:30 PM | Showcase Presentations: Marianne Knuth Noshin Ilyas Riyaz Sayyed |
12:30- 01:30 PM | Exhibition |
01:30- 03:00 PM | Lunch Break |
03:00 – 04:00 PM | Exhibition |
04:00-05:30 PM | Panel Discussion |
05:30- 06:30PM | Drive from Heliopolis University to Sekem Farm for the Guesthouse residence |
07:00 PM | Dinner at SEKEM Guesthouse residence for the Guesthouse residence |
08:00 PM | Music & Sitting at the Fire in the SEKEM Garden for the Guesthouse residence |
Time | Theme of the day “ECONOMY” at Heliopolis University |
07:00-08:00 AM | Breakfast at SEKEM Guesthouse for the Guesthouse residence |
07:00-08:00 AM | Transportation from HU to SEKEM farm for participants in Cairo |
08:00-09:30AM | SEKEM factory tour |
09:30 AM | Drive from SEKEM Farm to Heliopolis University |
10:30 – 10:40 PM | Opening of the day + Music |
10:40 – 12:00 PM | Key-Notes Keynote speakers: Naglaa Ahmed |
12:00 – 01:30 PM | Lunch Break |
01:30 – 03:00 PM | Workshops |
03:00 – 03:30 PM | Break |
03:30 – 04:30 PM | Showcase presentation Showcase speakers: Oliver Mrosso |
04:30 – 05:30 PM | Panel discussion |
05:30-06:00PM | Reflection and closing of the Conference |
06:00 PM | Drive from Heliopolis University to Sekem Farm for the Guesthouse residence |
07:00 PM | Dinner at SEKEM Guesthouse for the Guesthouse residence |
08:00 PM | Music & Sitting at the Fire in the SEKEM Garden for the Guesthouse residence |

Business
Establish a dynamic zone featuring booths for sustainable agriculture, a LOCAL FARMERS’ MARKET, Green Technologies, investment connections, and a Marketplace/Networking platform for direct purchases and engagement with producers.

Education
Highlight institutions promoting biodynamic practices with interactive displays, posters, and information about research, educational programs, and workshops for youth and students.

Agriculture
Experience agriculture with BD Bees for hive viewing and honey tasting, Sekem Farm for BD Animal Husbandry and milk tasting, and a Farm-to-Table Showcase emphasizing sustainable sourcing and consumption habits.

Culture
Celebrate Egypt and Africa’s cultural heritage through traditional arts, crafts, and cuisine, explore diverse arts with Ms. Petra, and foster cultural exchange.
Call for sponsorship
Speakers
New speakers will be featured and updated on our website

Helmy Abouleish
CEO of the SEKEM Initiative in Egypt and president in the Biodynamic Federation Demeter international

Naglaa Ahmed
Consultant & Project manager who works on Knowledge Hub for organic agriculture in North Africa (KHNA)

Luka Macharia

Hassan Abou Bakr
Consultant for organic agriculture and Professor of Biological control.

Buthaina El-Hosieny
Project Specialist at the Egyptian Biodynamic Association (EBDA).

Feya Marince
Regenerative Agricultural Trainer and board member of Indigenous Biodynamic Association of Africa (IBAA) based in South Africa under the Biodynamic Federation Demeter International.

Jürgen Fritz
Research coordinator Biodynamic Agriculture at Kassel University Germany

Trymore Samkange
Biodynamic farmer at Kufunda Community – Zimbabwe

Patrick Seggujja

Petra Drammeh
Founder and Honorary Chairwoman of the Board of YIRABAH Gambia Association in Germany.

Oliver Mrosso
Owner and managing director of Organic Hill Farming Company-Tanzania

Noshin Ilyas
Associate Professor in the Department of Botany, Agriculture University and has a Ph.D. in Plant Sciences – Pakistan

Ishaan Lilje
A biodynamic farmer at heart, farming 120 ha of land / 65ha of vineyard for Reyneke Wines, on the Stellenbosch hills, South Africa. He also serves on the board of the Biodynamic Association Southern Africa, and has been there since 202.

Maisa Lotfy
Director of Central Lab of Organic Agriculture at the Agricultural Research Center (ARC).

Ana Gonçalves
Founding Member and Secretary of the General Assembly of Demeter Portugal Association, Sementes Vivas Company, Portugal

Najla Dhen
Agronomic Engineer with a Ph.D. in Agronomic Sciences and Environment, working as a Multiplier Coach at the Technical Center of Organic Agriculture (CTAB), within the Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture in North Africa (KHNA Tunisia)

Jamila Loukili
Ex business women ,now activist for changing: Agro ecological farmer, regional president for organic producers, coordinator for KHNA Morocco and member of several environmental associations.

Peter Wangara
Founder and director of LIMBUA Group, Kenya

Justus Harm
Co-Executive Director of the Egyptian Biodynamic Association, Egypt

Aya Mamdouh
Operations Supervisor at the Economy of Love Standard, Egyptian Biodynamic Association, Egypt

Rufaida Alqady
Inspector, Centre of Organic Agriculture in Egypt (COAE), Master of science in Mediterranean Organic Agriculture, Organic farming International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari – Bari, Italy.

Helen Van Zyl
Running the online biodynamic training course at the BDAASA

Thoraya Saeda
Director of the Carbon Footprint Center, Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development.
Maps
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Heliopolis University
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SEKEM farm
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Accommodation
Indulge in nature’s embrace at SEKEM Guesthouse in SEKEM Farm. Book your stay for a sustainable retreat amidst lush greenery, offering comfort and tranquility.
Click HERE to know more about the different packages: [email protected]
*SEKEM farm is where the first day of the conference will take place, and the following days transportation from Heliopolis University will be provided.
Meet the Conference Organizers






