Al ain: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has launched the first phase of the Women Farmer Field Schools (FFS) programme as part of the "Empowering Women Farmers" initiative.
According to Emirates News Agency, the initiative was launched under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, during the First Emirati Women Farmers Forum held as part of the second Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition in Al Ain last April. The launch, coinciding with Emirati Women's Day, underscores the essential role of women in supporting sustainable agricultural development, food security, and economic opportunities within the agricultural sector.
MOCCAE is set to host a virtual introductory session on Thursday, 27th August, aimed at enabling Emirati women farmers and beekeepers to gain insights into the programme's objectives, pillars, and participation mechanisms. Field-based training will commence in September, covering various farms and agricultural sites across different emirates.
The programme aligns with the UAE's designation of 2026 as the "Year of Family," reinforcing the role of women in transferring sustainable agricultural knowledge and promoting sustainable food practices within families and communities. Dr. Mohammed Salman Al Hammadi, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Food Diversity Sector at MOCCAE, emphasized that empowering women farmers is a strategic investment in the nation's food security and plays a crucial role in disseminating sustainable agricultural and environmental knowledge.
The Women Farmer Field Schools programme aims to equip women farmers with practical knowledge and skills to enhance agricultural production and improve the efficiency of their farming operations. It adopts a participatory, practice-based training approach, enabling women farmers to make informed decisions based on practical experience and scientific knowledge.
The initiative also offers opportunities for young talent to engage with the Emirates Youth Council for Agriculture and allows women farmers to participate in local and international agricultural exhibitions and festivals to promote their products and expand their businesses. Training will cover various aspects, including sustainable palm tree management, pest control, irrigation, fertilization, apiary management, and honey production, alongside economic evaluation to ensure the sustainability and profitability of their projects.
The programme is being implemented in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), leveraging international best practices in Farmer Field Schools. It builds on the success of the first Women Farmer Field School in Abu Samrah, Al Ain, where three women farmers were awarded the Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Award for Agricultural Excellence.
MOCCAE has invited women farmers, beekeepers, and others interested in agriculture across the UAE to participate in the virtual introductory session on 27th August and register through the Ministry's official channels before the field training programme begins in September.