Mazra'et Al-Okhwa is a sustainable eco-farm in Palestine that combines land, water, animals and plants in an environmentally-friendly manner. We also integrate technology, management and sociology to ensure the achievement of our values and objectives. “The farm produces dairy products that are prepared based on the market needs and requests”, says Aya Mletat, the female entrepreneur behind this initiative.

This organic proposal integrates technology, management and sociology to ensure the achievement of their values and objectives. Aya Mletat was one of the entrepreneurs selected by Leaders International, Palestinian partner of GIMED, to join the project and develop a green business model for her early-stage start-up. “I would describe my experience in GIMED as valuable and rich in terms of information”, says Mletat.

The farm presents a model that runs on clear scientific basis moving towards development and sustainability. As a goal, Mazra’et Al-Okhwa aims at improving the level and quality of their dairy products, by breeding sheeps, providing job opportunities for women and youth. Along the training sessions, a wide range of tools were shared with her to transfer knowledge.

Aya Mletat joined the training and coaching sessions where she received a theoretical methodology about green entrepreneurship and means to delve more deeply into her individual project. “The coaching phase is individualized and deep training that is designed to satisfy our needs and tackle the weaknesses in our business plans”, says the female eco-entrepreneur. In her own words, each phase was extremely managed and well-organised.

“I have done some other trainings in the past. However, the technical support provided by GIMED is more holistic and inclusive, it tackles green entrepreneurship comprehensively and I believe its 70% better than any of the previous trainings I have done”, says the Palestinian innovator. Additionally to providing technical informational and experienced support, GIMED is allowing entrepreneurs sub-grants that could grow their businesses.

She is a great example of how women tackle social stigma on agriculture. As a green entrepreneur, she has had issues in finding investments to develop her project and finding accurate and scientific information. Nevertheless, the support given by ENI CBC Med Programme is making Aya believe in herself and her work to ultimately achieve her dream.