The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has launched the first phase of its Women Farmer Field Schools programme, the ministry announced. Five such schools opened across Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Al Rahba as part of the 2024 date palm season, targeting women farm owners and managers alongside other participants. The initiative forms part of a wider effort that drew 48 individuals from Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, according to details shared by the ministry and its partners.
The programme concentrates on date palm management and control of the red palm weevil, a pest that threatens the UAE’s signature crop, the ministry reported. Participants follow a seasonal schedule that begins at sowing and ends at harvest, an approach that allows direct application of lessons to local arid conditions. This structure draws from the established Farmer Field Schools model that the Food and Agriculture Organization has refined over decades.
A FAO assessment found that the Farmer Field Schools approach effectively promotes the inclusion of women in climate adaptation and socio-economic activities, helping them achieve greater financial autonomy. In the UAE context the first female-only course within the programme marked an expansion of women’s visibility in a field historically associated with male farmers. The eight women who completed the dedicated track gained knowledge that complemented their prior experience, one graduate told The National.
Mohamed Ali Alabdouli, lead extension officer at the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, told The National that the programme starts when the first seeds are sown and ends at harvest, adapting to the seasonality of each crop. The authority cooperated with MOCCAE and the FAO to deliver the training, which also served to recognise women’s contributions to the sector. Future iterations may address additional crops and challenges facing Emirati agriculture.
His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Salman Al Hammadi, Assistant Undersecretary of Food Diversity at MOCCAE, stated, “We are proud to support initiatives that empower women and foster collaboration among farmers. This graduation ceremony reflects our commitment to enhancing agricultural resilience and sustainability in the United Arab Emirates.” Thaer Yaseen, FAO Senior Plant Protection Officer, remarked, “The successful implementation of this program highlights the importance of community engagement in managing the Red Palm Weevil. Through collaboration and shared knowledge, we can effectively combat this pest and safeguard our date palm resources.”
The launch aligns with the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051, which prioritises sustainable local production and resilience against supply disruptions. Similar FAO-supported Farmer Field Schools in other countries have demonstrated lasting gains in productivity and gender equity, according to programme evaluations. MOCCAE continues to expand such training to prepare a broader base of women for leadership roles in the agricultural value chain.
