The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has begun the first phase of a new program aimed at providing female farmers with practical skills in sustainable farming, beekeeping, and agricultural business management.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) introduced the 'Field Schools for Women Farmers' program as part of its 'Empowering Women Farmers' initiative. Training at farms and agricultural sites is scheduled for September and will take place across several emirates.
The launch of the program took place under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak during the First UAE Women Farmers Forum, which ran concurrently with the Second Emirate Agricultural Conference and Exhibition in Al Ain in April. This initiative coincides with UAE Women's Day and aims to strengthen the role of women in ensuring food security, sustainable agriculture, and creating economic opportunities.
The training will focus on applied, practical skills that farmers can immediately implement on their plots. Topics include managing palms using sustainable methods, combating the red palm weevil and other pests, as well as irrigation, fertilization, and growing fruits and vegetables both in greenhouses and open fields.
Female beekeepers will also receive knowledge on hive management, honey production, and developing value-added products. The program will also cover agricultural reporting and economic assessment, helping participants increase the efficiency, profitability, and long-term sustainability of their projects.
Before the field sessions begin, MOCCAE will hold a virtual orientation session on August 27 to provide UAE female farmers and beekeepers with general information about the program and participation procedures.
Field training will commence in September at various farms and agricultural facilities across the UAE. The program is implemented by MOCCAE in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), drawing on international experience from 'Farmer Field Schools.'
Furthermore, this initiative will provide female farmers with opportunities to showcase their produce at local and international agricultural exhibitions and festivals, while youth will be able to engage with the Emirate Youth Council for Agriculture.
Dr. Mohammed Salman Al Hammadi, Assistant Deputy Minister of Food Diversification Sector at MOCCAE, noted that the program will equip female farmers with the necessary practical knowledge to improve production and manage their farms more effectively. He emphasized that its practice-based approach will enable participants to make decisions based on both direct experience and scientific data.
The expanded program builds upon the previous 'Field School for Women Farmers' in Abu Samra, Al Ain, where three participating female farmers subsequently received the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Award for Agricultural Excellence. The program is also linked to the UAE Family Year in 2026, focusing on intergenerational knowledge transfer in sustainable agriculture, improving household nutrition, and promoting more environmentally friendly farming methods.