At a time when Egyptian agriculture is facing increasing challenges, Bridge Trade has emerged as one of the leading models in providing practical, field-based solutions to support farmers, especially in Upper Egypt، Through advisory caravans and technical support, the company has worked to build a real partnership with farmers, placing small farmers at the heart of its priorities.
In an interview with “Business24,” we delve deeper into the story of “Bridge Trade” to uncover how it transformed from an idea into a driving force in shaping the future of Egyptian agriculture.
To begin, we’d like to start from the roots: how did the idea of “Bridge Trade” come about, and what background led you to enter this vital field
The idea behind Bridge Trade was not just a business project or a traditional activity, but rather a response to a real need that emerged on the ground. In the early 2000s, Egyptian agriculture was going through a critical phase, with many challenges such as a lack of technical knowledge, limited access to advanced agricultural inputs, and weak communication between farmers and modern technology، There was a significant gap between the available resources in the local market and what farmers actually needed to improve their crops.
From this, we decided to be the “bridge” connecting knowledge and expertise on one side with the farmers’ needs on the ground on the other. We started as a company specialized in providing agricultural inputs, but we didn’t stop at just selling products. We adopted a philosophy of partnership with the farmer at every step of the agricultural process.
How did this philosophy translate into a tangible reality, especially in Upper Egypt, where agricultural neglect is often prevalent
Over the past three years, we’ve focused heavily on Upper Egypt. Not only because we see it as a region rich in agricultural potential, but also because it is in dire need of technical and advisory support. We launched a large number of agricultural educational and advisory caravans in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, aiming to have direct communication with farmers, especially small ones.
These caravans were not just seminars; they were field workshops where we went directly to the fields, listened to farmers, identified challenges, and offered the latest solutions in fertilizers, pesticides, and modern fertilization and irrigation methods. Our agricultural engineers are always present in the governorates, monitoring every agricultural season step by step. This way, we don’t just provide products, we offer comprehensive solutions that save time and effort and increase productivity.
?What sets your strategy apart in dealing specifically with small farmers
We consider small farmers to be the heart of Egyptian agriculture. In reality, large companies have vast resources, integrated teams, and easy access to the latest agricultural technologies, even global technologies. But the small farmer? He needs someone to guide him, teach him, and stand by his side.
Therefore, we have placed this type of farmer at the forefront of our priorities. We offer him simple, well-planned agricultural guidance, help him choose the best seeds, guide him on how to use products in the most optimal way, and follow up with him through the growth stages until harvest. The goal is to equip him with the knowledge that enables him to produce high-quality crops, not just for the local market but also for export. We want to restore the small farmer’s confidence in his land and in his ability to compete in the global market.
With the Egyptian government now focusing on supporting advisory crops, how does Bridge Trade contribute to this direction
We are working hand in hand with this direction because we believe that the future of Egypt’s food security depends on supporting these crops. Therefore, we’ve focused on providing products and solutions specifically for crops like wheat, sugar beet, potatoes, and tomatoes. These crops face many challenges, such as fungal diseases, pests, and even the impact of climate changes.
We have launched a range of specialized fertilizers that enhance fruit quality, in addition to effective and safe pesticides to handle various pests. We also responded quickly to climate changes, particularly frost, which affects crops in some areas due to temperature differences between day and night. Now, we have products specifically designed to protect plants from these changes, helping to maintain the quality of production.
You frequently mention the phrase “actual presence in the fields”—what is the significance of this for you as a company
We believe that agriculture is not managed from offices alone. Our presence in the field is the foundation of the farmers’ trust in us. We don’t sell a product without testing it in real conditions. We go to the farmers, conduct field trials in front of them, and follow up with our technical teams to monitor the product’s performance step by step.
We also organize awareness campaigns, seminars, and training workshops in various Egyptian governorates. We don’t wait for farmers to come to us; we go to them, share our expertise, provide the latest agricultural recommendations, and also learn from their daily challenges. This is what keeps us always close to the ground, and allows us to stay ahead in offering solutions.
And how do you maintain this level of field performance and organization؟
Behind all this field effort is a strong organizational structure and a team of qualified engineers and experts. We don’t work randomly but with clear plans, and an integrated team where each individual has their specialty. This gives us the ability to respond quickly to any new challenge. Each agricultural season, we review performance, develop our tools, and build on what has been achieved.
Finally, how do you see the future of “Bridge Trade,” and what do you aim to achieve in the coming years؟
Our vision for the future is clear: to build a smart and sustainable agricultural system. We aspire to be true partners in developing Egyptian agriculture through expanding the use of technology, supporting agricultural innovation, and investing in young talent. We aim to expand our awareness and training programs and reach more areas that haven’t yet received agricultural knowledge.
We want to create a new generation of farmers who are more aware, more productive, and better able to adapt to changes in the local and global market. For us, Bridge Trade is not just a company it is a partner in the field, a pillar for the future of agriculture in Egypt.
For more information about Bridge Trade and its products, you can visit their official website: www.bridgetrade.com.
