Arailym Serikbay, a young
biologist from Karagandy, uses environmentally friendly raw materials – microgreens
– to make biosalt, food boxes and healing smoothie drinks. The entrepreneur
plans to expand the applications of the plants she grows. She does everything
in her power to achieve her ambitious goal of making this new agricultural
trend popular among the younger generation. For this purpose, the scientist has
opened a special scientific and educational center.
“Our environmentally friendly products
are created using zero-waste technologies. Our aim is to develop environmental
literacy and culture, as well as provide high-quality agricultural education to
our youth, teenagers, schoolchildren and students by combining our practical
knowledge and science. As a result, we plan to transform our microgreens
growing center into a specialized research school,” said the project author.
Serikbay aspires to expand her
business globally. She presented her project, along with other nine other
business projects of women entrepreneurs, at a regional competition organized
by the United Nations (UN) Women in Kazakhstan and the NURIS Innovation Cluster.
All of them were meticulously selected from 85 applications received.
“These projects will be further
reviewed at the regional level, with the most successful ones advancing to a
global stage in Istanbul. The UN Women in Kazakhstan is also providing full
support to these participants, who will have the opportunity to meet with
international investors. There will also be an opportunity to learn more about
regional and global platforms where they can present their products and
services. It is very important for us that the women who present these projects
are focused on resolving social problems, promoting gender equality, and empowering
women,” noted Dina Amrisheva, head of office at the UN Women in Kazakhstan.
