Emirates Agriculture Conference 2026 highlights women and families in UAE food security
Al Ain, UAE: The Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2026 continued in Al Ain with a strong message: women and families are important to the future of farming in the UAE.
On the third day of the event, speakers discussed how women farmers, family farms and local communities can help protect food security, support the environment and keep Emirati farming traditions alive.
The event is organised by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. This year’s theme focuses on building a strong Emirati agriculture platform that supports a sustainable community and global innovation.
Experts said farming is not only about growing food. It is also about families, culture, jobs and protecting the land. They said women have a key role in using smart farming tools, saving resources and helping the UAE grow more local food.
Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the General Women’s Union, said helping women work in agriculture is a national priority. She said women can support food security and help build a greener economy.
She also spoke about the We Grow for Sustainability initiative. The programme was launched in 2025 and will run for five years. It aims to train more than 12,000 women through more than 470 training programmes. The initiative is supported by 16 strategic partners. It also plans to deliver 35 farming projects and more than 25,000 training hours.
In a session called Women and the Impact of Community Empowerment, speakers discussed how the UAE is helping more women join the agriculture sector.
Aisha Mohammed Al Mulla, Chairperson of the UAE Businesswomen Council, said supporting women in farming follows the vision of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. She said Sheikh Zayed believed agriculture was an important part of sustainable development.
She added that programmes such as Tamkeen and Ta’zeez give women training, guidance and partnerships. These programmes help women take part in many fields, including farming.
Another panel discussed how society can support women farmers. Speakers said family farming helps protect Emirati heritage and increases local food production. They said families play an important role in teaching farming skills to young people.
A session titled Legacy and Impact shared stories of farmers who turned traditional family farms into modern and sustainable farming projects. These stories showed how farming can support the economy, help communities and connect young people with the land.
The event also saw the signing of two agreements to support local agriculture.
The first agreement was signed between the National Agriculture Centre and Emirates Packaging Industries. It aims to improve packaging, reduce waste and raise the quality of local farm products for UAE and export markets.
The second agreement was signed with AG Silerant Limited. It aims to increase the use of local produce in hotels and restaurants. It will also help farms get quality certificates, cut waste and create more jobs.
Speakers said the UAE needs strong women, active families and shared farming knowledge to build a safe and sustainable food system.
The Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2026 remains an important national platform for farming, sustainability, local production and community empowerment. It also supports the UAE’s goal of improving food security for the future.
