UAE launches ‘Empowering Women Farmers’ initiative to strengthen national food security
UAE launches ‘Empowering Women Farmers’ initiative under Sheikha Fatima’s patronage to boost national food security, innovation and female-led agribusiness.
The UAE has launched a national initiative titled “Empowering Women Farmers” to deepen Emirati women’s role in sustainable food security and agribusiness. The initiative, announced at the Emirati Women Farmers Forum in Al Ain, was presented under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak and aims to convert women’s agricultural contributions into leadership and innovation across the sector. This program places empowering women farmers at the center of the country’s strategy to expand agricultural productivity, market competitiveness and climate-smart practices.
Launch at Emirati Women Farmers Forum in Al Ain
The initiative was unveiled during the Emirati Women Farmers Forum held alongside the UAE Agricultural Conference and Exhibition in Al Ain. The event was convened under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and drew more than 200 Emirati women farmers, agripreneurs and sector leaders. Organizers described the forum as a platform for dialogue, showcasing practical tools and setting the groundwork for a national roadmap to scale women-led farms.
Sheikha Fatima underlines women’s heritage in agriculture
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak praised national efforts to modernize agriculture while ensuring it remains a living heritage for Emirati families. She highlighted the importance of expanding opportunities for women and said targeted support would allow Emirati women to consolidate their role in the agricultural economy. The patronage, she added, signals a long-term commitment to raising awareness of farming across communities and equipping women with skills and resources to lead.
Ministry details practical empowerment measures
Dr. Amina bint Abdullah Al Dhahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, described the initiative as a cornerstone of the UAE’s food sovereignty strategy. She said the program will provide field tools, hands-on training through farm schools, and direct dialogue channels with policymakers to remove operational and technical barriers. The ministry emphasized a practical empowerment approach designed to move women from contributors to agricultural leaders and innovators.
Market access and technology integration for female-led farms
A principal objective of the initiative is to help women farmers build commercially viable brands and access markets competitively. The program will support integration of climate-smart technologies and smart-farming solutions to optimize resource use and enhance product quality. Planners intend to pair technical support with marketing platforms, enabling farms led by women to increase value-added output and expand into domestic and regional supply chains.
Stakeholder engagement and a youth-focused governance strand
The forum produced early recommendations for a coordinated roadmap that links government entities with women on the ground. Participants endorsed creating marketing channels, mentorship networks and incubator-style support for agribusiness start-ups led by women. The ministry also announced plans to involve young female talent through a Youth Council for UAE Agriculture to ensure emerging leaders participate in decision-making and innovation processes.
Event outcomes and national strategic alignment
Organizers said the initiative aligns Emirati policy with global efforts to strengthen the role of women in agriculture and sustainable development. The launch was presented as proactive national leadership ahead of international discussions on women farmers, and as part of broader efforts to promote a green economy and resilient food systems. Attendees affirmed that the initiative establishes a comprehensive ecosystem of field training, finance readiness and market connectivity for women-led agricultural enterprises.
The forum’s participants expressed broad gratitude to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima for her continued support of women’s empowerment initiatives. Female leaders and farmers committed to sustaining momentum by implementing pilot projects that translate training into measurable productivity gains. The collaborative approach is intended to institutionalize women’s leadership in agriculture and to demonstrate scalable models that boost national food security.
The “Empowering Women Farmers” initiative positions Emirati women as central partners in the nation’s pursuit of sustainable agriculture and economic diversification. By combining technical training, market access and institutional support, the UAE aims to convert traditional farming knowledge into competitive, climate-resilient enterprises that contribute to the country’s long-term food sovereignty.
