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Under the patronage of 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, and within the framework of the “Year of the Family,” the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment launched the “Empowering Women Farmers” initiative, aimed at strengthening the participation of Emirati women in the journey toward sustainable national food security.

This was announced during the “First Emirati Women Farmers Forum,” held on the sidelines of the “Emirati Agricultural Conference and Exhibition,” which concluded yesterday in Al Ain under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the State, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court.

Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak praised the tireless national efforts to establish agriculture as one of the pillars of the national economy and to strengthen sustainable food security in the United Arab Emirates, noting that these efforts provide promising opportunities for Emirati women to participate in the agricultural sector, which has become more advanced through science and technology.

Her Highness said that agriculture is a national legacy in the country, and Emirati women represent one of its pillars. With continued support, women will become even more capable of reinforcing this legacy by spreading a culture of agriculture among all members of society, helping to develop agricultural businesses through providing the necessary foundations and skills, and offering every means of empowerment through innovative solutions. She affirmed that the initiative represents an integrated and necessary system to enhance the role of women farmers in this vital sector, placing the UAE before an exceptional experience that reinforces its position as a global model for comprehensive women’s empowerment in agriculture and the economy.

The “Empowering Women Farmers” initiative is considered a pioneering national project that embodies the UAE’s strategic vision of transforming the role of women from contributors to agricultural production into leading partners and key drivers of innovation in this vital sector.

The initiative is based on a practical empowerment approach through providing field tools and direct dialogue platforms with decision-makers, aimed overall at overcoming challenges and opening broad horizons for developing women-led farms and transforming them into successful economic models.

It also seeks to establish the Emirati woman farmer as an innovation leader capable of building her own brand and competing in markets, with a focus on integrating modern technologies and climate-smart solutions to ensure resource sustainability and increase the added value of national products.

The launch of the initiative reflects the UAE’s strategic vision of empowering women farmers as pivotal partners in the system of innovation and food sovereignty, not merely as food producers.

This movement aims to provide a high-quality interactive platform that combines recognition with on-the-ground empowerment, ensuring stronger contributions by Emirati women to the green economy and the path of sustainable development.

This national movement comes in parallel with global trends led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, specifically with the declaration of 2026 as the “International Year of Women Farmers,” reflecting the UAE’s leadership in proactively aligning with these international pathways.

The “Emirati Women Farmers Forum” witnessed exceptional attendance led by Sheikha Dr. Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of the Board of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan Cultural and Educational Institutions, and Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, Minister of Family, along with distinguished female leaders, in addition to more than 200 Emirati women farmers and female entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector.

The forum included panel discussions and in-depth interactive dialogues focused on exploring promising opportunities and field challenges facing women in this vital sector. Innovative solutions were presented to overcome technical and operational obstacles, ensuring that women farmers are equipped with the tools for success and enabling their farms to become leading projects that effectively contribute to the food security system through increased production and improved quality.

The dialogue during the event succeeded in outlining initial features of a future roadmap aimed at deepening women’s participation in developing the agricultural sector and increasing their contribution within it.

Participants confirmed that this interactive momentum paves the way for a new phase of integrated work between government entities and women farmers on the ground to ensure sustainable production and enhance agricultural innovation, thereby reinforcing the status of Emirati women as active contributors and leaders in the comprehensive agricultural renaissance taking place in the country, in line with ambitious national visions.

Female leaders, participants, and farmers at the forum expressed their highest gratitude, appreciation, and recognition to Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak for her support and patronage, which represent the true umbrella for the journey of comprehensive empowerment of Emirati women.

They unanimously affirmed that the exceptional attention Her Highness gives to involving women in the agricultural sector provides Emirati women farmers with strategic and moral motivation to continue giving and innovating. They also pledged to the leadership of the state to always remain worthy of trust as active partners in consolidating the national food security system and sustaining its resources for future generations.