emirates7 - The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has announced the commencement of the first phase of the Women Farmer Field Schools (FFS) programme as part of the ‘Empowering Women Farmers’ initiative. The initiative was launched under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, on the sidelines of the First Emirati Women Farmers Forum held during the second edition of the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition in Al Ain last April.
The commencement of the first phase of the Women Farmer Field Schools programme coincides with the celebration of Emirati Women’s Day, reaffirming the central role of women in promoting sustainable agricultural development, supporting national efforts to enhance food security, and creating economic opportunities within the agricultural sector.
The Ministry is organising a virtual introductory session on Thursday, 27 August, providing the first platform for Emirati women farmers and beekeepers to learn about the programme’s objectives, pillars, and participation mechanisms. The session will precede the rollout of field-based training across farms and agricultural sites in various Emirates, scheduled to begin in September.
The programme reflects the UAE's designation of 2026 as the Year of Family, reinforcing women’s role as key partners in transferring sustainable agricultural knowledge, improving household nutrition, and embedding sustainable food practices within families and communities. It also builds on the achievements of earlier Farmer Field Schools implemented in cooperation with the General Women’s Union (GWU), which now form part of the broader 'Empowering Women Farmers' initiative.
This step reflects the importance of empowering women and strengthening their participation in the agricultural sector, recognising their critical role in enhancing the sustainability of agricultural production systems. The UAE reaffirms its commitment to supporting women’s contributions to developing the sector and increasing its contribution to the national economy, thereby boosting its competitiveness and its capacity to support food security targets.
HE Dr Mohammed Salman Al Hammadi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector at MOCCAE, said: “Empowering women farmers is a strategic investment in the nation’s food security and a fundamental pillar of transferring sustainable agricultural and environmental knowledge within families and communities. The Farmer Field Schools programme aligns with national priorities aimed at building a more sustainable food ecosystem, equipping women farmers with the knowledge and practical skills needed to boost agricultural production and improve the efficiency of their farming operations.”
His Excellency added: “The programme adopts a participatory, practice-based training approach that empowers women farmers to become experts in managing their farms and helps them make informed decisions based on practical experience and scientific knowledge. We invite all women farmers and beekeepers across the UAE to register and participate in the introductory session to learn about the training agenda and prepare for the field workshops starting in September.”
In addition to field training, the initiative offers a comprehensive support system for participants. This includes opportunities for young talent to engage with the Emirates Youth Council for Agriculture. It also enables women farmers to participate in local and international agricultural exhibitions and festivals, helping promote their products and expand their businesses.
Developing Agricultural and Technical Skills
The Women Farmer Field Schools (FFS) programme is designed to develop women’s skills across various agricultural and technical fields through practical, on-site training. The programme focuses on the sustainable management of palm trees, methods for combating red palm weevil and other agricultural pests, and best practices for irrigation and fertilisation in growing fruits and vegetables, in greenhouses as well as in open fields.
The training also covers the technical management of apiaries, honey production, and value-added products, alongside skills in agricultural record-keeping and the economic evaluation of projects to support sustainability, efficiency, and profitability.
Joint Implementation in Line with International Best Practices
The programme is implemented through a collaborative team comprising the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), ensuring the implementation of best international practices and expertise in the field of Farmer Field Schools.
The expanded programme builds on the success of the first Women Farmer Field School in the Abu Samrah area of Al Ain, which achieved outstanding results, culminating in three women farmers winning the Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Award for Agricultural Excellence.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment invites all women farmers, beekeepers, and others interested in the agricultural sector across the UAE to participate in the virtual introductory session scheduled for 27 August and register through the Ministry’s official channels. The session will mark the start of participation in the Field Schools programme, which will commence in September and aims to foster a more sustainable agricultural future led by Emirati expertise and talent.
Registration and Participation Link
The commencement of the first phase of the Women Farmer Field Schools programme coincides with the celebration of Emirati Women’s Day, reaffirming the central role of women in promoting sustainable agricultural development, supporting national efforts to enhance food security, and creating economic opportunities within the agricultural sector.
The Ministry is organising a virtual introductory session on Thursday, 27 August, providing the first platform for Emirati women farmers and beekeepers to learn about the programme’s objectives, pillars, and participation mechanisms. The session will precede the rollout of field-based training across farms and agricultural sites in various Emirates, scheduled to begin in September.
The programme reflects the UAE's designation of 2026 as the Year of Family, reinforcing women’s role as key partners in transferring sustainable agricultural knowledge, improving household nutrition, and embedding sustainable food practices within families and communities. It also builds on the achievements of earlier Farmer Field Schools implemented in cooperation with the General Women’s Union (GWU), which now form part of the broader 'Empowering Women Farmers' initiative.
This step reflects the importance of empowering women and strengthening their participation in the agricultural sector, recognising their critical role in enhancing the sustainability of agricultural production systems. The UAE reaffirms its commitment to supporting women’s contributions to developing the sector and increasing its contribution to the national economy, thereby boosting its competitiveness and its capacity to support food security targets.
HE Dr Mohammed Salman Al Hammadi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector at MOCCAE, said: “Empowering women farmers is a strategic investment in the nation’s food security and a fundamental pillar of transferring sustainable agricultural and environmental knowledge within families and communities. The Farmer Field Schools programme aligns with national priorities aimed at building a more sustainable food ecosystem, equipping women farmers with the knowledge and practical skills needed to boost agricultural production and improve the efficiency of their farming operations.”
His Excellency added: “The programme adopts a participatory, practice-based training approach that empowers women farmers to become experts in managing their farms and helps them make informed decisions based on practical experience and scientific knowledge. We invite all women farmers and beekeepers across the UAE to register and participate in the introductory session to learn about the training agenda and prepare for the field workshops starting in September.”
In addition to field training, the initiative offers a comprehensive support system for participants. This includes opportunities for young talent to engage with the Emirates Youth Council for Agriculture. It also enables women farmers to participate in local and international agricultural exhibitions and festivals, helping promote their products and expand their businesses.
Developing Agricultural and Technical Skills
The Women Farmer Field Schools (FFS) programme is designed to develop women’s skills across various agricultural and technical fields through practical, on-site training. The programme focuses on the sustainable management of palm trees, methods for combating red palm weevil and other agricultural pests, and best practices for irrigation and fertilisation in growing fruits and vegetables, in greenhouses as well as in open fields.
The training also covers the technical management of apiaries, honey production, and value-added products, alongside skills in agricultural record-keeping and the economic evaluation of projects to support sustainability, efficiency, and profitability.
Joint Implementation in Line with International Best Practices
The programme is implemented through a collaborative team comprising the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), ensuring the implementation of best international practices and expertise in the field of Farmer Field Schools.
The expanded programme builds on the success of the first Women Farmer Field School in the Abu Samrah area of Al Ain, which achieved outstanding results, culminating in three women farmers winning the Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Award for Agricultural Excellence.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment invites all women farmers, beekeepers, and others interested in the agricultural sector across the UAE to participate in the virtual introductory session scheduled for 27 August and register through the Ministry’s official channels. The session will mark the start of participation in the Field Schools programme, which will commence in September and aims to foster a more sustainable agricultural future led by Emirati expertise and talent.
Registration and Participation Link
الرجاء الانتظار ...