Can Women Transform Iraq Through Green Entrepreneurship? | Marwa Alnuaimi | TEDxBaghdadWomen

28 Aug 2024 (21 days ago)

Marwa Alnuaimi's Background and Inspiration

Marwa Alnuaimi grew up in a home with a large garden where her family grew their own food and composted their leftovers.
After moving away and returning in 2018, Alnuaimi found it difficult to find work in her field of engineering.
Alnuaimi is a mother of two who has been learning about the job market since returning to Iraq.
Marwa Alnuaimi was inspired by a man who told her he collects bread and dates because they are easy to eat even after getting wet.

Alnuaimi started a composting experiment in her home using a pickle bucket to hold food scraps and garden waste.
After moving to a new house, Alnuaimi expanded her composting efforts and lab analysis showed the compost contained 80% organic matter.
Marwa Alnuaimi acquired a farm in Al-Doura to develop a business focused on waste management.
Alnuaimi participated in a Startup Weekend program, winning first place and the EIPA award for entrepreneurship, which led to her representing Iraq in Amsterdam for agricultural entrepreneurship.
Marwa Alnuaimi transformed a 5-ton loss into a 120-unit farm on a 4-dunam plot of land with limited resources.

Alnuaimi learned to operate a tractor and perform all the tasks on the farm herself, rejecting the role of a manager.
Alnuaimi's green initiatives, which began in 2018, initially faced skepticism and laughter, with people questioning the possibility of change in Iraq.
Women are capable of achieving anything with determination and a sense of responsibility.

Green Gold products, made from waste materials, are being distributed to more than five provinces.
Jojo, a character representing the journey of Green Gold, plays a crucial role in improving and developing the products, enhancing their effectiveness and nitrogen content.
Animal waste is turned into tablets called "matal," which is used as a fuel source and is environmentally friendly.