Emirati women / an active presence that enhances food security and consolidates the sustainability of local production

Al Ain, April 24 / WAM / The presence of Emirati women in the UAE Agricultural Conference and Exhibition 2026 stands out as an extension of a rooted role in supporting the agricultural and food development process in the country. Their contributions are no longer limited to participation, but rather have become an important source of innovation, an influential factor in the sustainability of local production, and the establishment of modern agricultural practices that keep pace with future aspirations and support national food security.

Among the pavilions, projects and products displayed, Emirati women’s models emerge, confirming that the role of women in the agricultural sector has become more established and influential, whether through developing the local product, adopting more sustainable production methods, or transforming agricultural ideas into pioneering projects with an economic and societal impact.

This attendance reflects an increasing path of empowerment and qualitative participation, driven by a national vision that places food security and sustainability at the heart of its priorities.

Participants in the second edition of the UAE Agricultural Conference and Exhibition confirmed that Emirati women continue to consolidate their role in the agricultural and food sector, and open new horizons for entrepreneurship related to food security.

They pointed out that the qualitative models and projects presented by women reflect an advanced awareness of the importance of this vital sector, and the ability to transform ideas into initiatives with an economic and societal impact, in a way that enhances the competitiveness of the national product and supports the state’s directions towards building a more efficient and sustainable food system.

Among the women’s participation this year, the “Shuyoukhi Dates” project, which was founded by Maitha Al Mahrezi, stands out and provides a model for developing dates in the form of innovative and modern products, while preserving their nutritional value and enhancing their presence in the healthy local food culture.

Al Mahrizi said that Emirati women today do not enter the agricultural sector as an extension of a traditional role, but rather as a creative mind that redefines the relationship between the land and man. She does not see production as an end in itself, but rather as a starting point towards building a more aware and sustainable food system. Through her ability to combine knowledge and experience, roots and heritage on the one hand, and modern technologies on the other hand, she succeeds in transforming challenges into real business models, and in transferring agriculture from being a seasonal activity to an integrated future project that makes an impact and enhances food security for future generations.

In another space, Fatima Al-Moussawi, owner of the “Relief” project, presents a different experience based on tea as a product that carries an identity, a message, and a value.

Al Mousawi is the first Emirati tea expert, the first owner of an environmentally friendly Emirati tea brand, and a member of the Emirates Youth Entrepreneurship Council.

Al-Mousawi said about her experience that her journey began with a family passion for tea, but it soon developed into a greater responsibility towards what we offer to the world, pointing out that she did not see tea as just a product, but rather an experience that carries an identity, a message, and a value. Hence, the “Relief” project came to combine innovation and sustainability, and prove that women’s entrepreneurship in the UAE is capable of transforming a small idea into a landmark, offering an environmentally friendly product that reflects the spirit of the future without being separated from its roots.

The female presence at the exhibition reveals that empowering women in the agricultural sector is not only related to expanding participation, but is also related to building a broader economic and social impact. Agricultural and food projects led by women contribute to supporting the local product, providing new opportunities for training and work, enhancing community awareness of the value of national production, as well as expanding the presence of local products in the markets.

For her part, Salima Al Shamsi, owner of “Lulu Farm” and winner of the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Award for Agricultural Excellence, pointed out that agricultural work is no longer just a productive activity, but has become a responsibility related to the land and society together.

She said that through the management of “Lulu Farm,” she realized that empowering women in this sector is not only reflected in the success of the project itself, but extends to creating a broader impact on society, by providing job opportunities, enhancing reliance on local products, and building a more conscious relationship between the farmer and the consumer, noting that what she is doing today is part of a larger vision based on utilizing resources in a more sustainable way, which contributes to supporting food security and consolidating a culture of responsible local production.

These experiences clearly reflect how Emirati women have become part of a broader scene that is reshaping the relationship between agriculture and development, between the local product and the economy, and between innovation and sustainability. These projects also highlight the role of women in transferring agricultural expertise from the level of individual practice to a broader space of societal and economic influence.

This presence is not limited to traditional production, but extends to employing modern technologies and sustainable agricultural methods in developing projects and raising their efficiency.

From smart irrigation and hydroponics, to organic solutions and the development of value-added products, participants in the exhibition adopt advanced models that reflect a deeper understanding of the requirements of modern agriculture and the importance of optimal use of natural resources.

Siddiqa Ghuloum, founder of the “Bee Sting” (BEEBITE) project, which specializes in manufacturing organic products from beeswax, pointed out that the essence of the experience does not stop at the borders of the project itself, but rather relates to a deeper idea related to building awareness among new generations.

She stressed her keenness to involve her daughter, Hamda, in the details of the project, to enhance her concept of entrepreneurship, and to consolidate the idea that innovation is a responsibility that begins from childhood, and contributes to preparing a generation capable of supporting the future of the country and continuing to develop a more sustainable and innovative sector.

This female momentum indicates that Emirati women are no longer present in this sector only as a partner in implementation, but also as a contributor to formulating solutions, developing products, and opening new horizons for agricultural and food entrepreneurship.

In light of the expanding use of tools such as artificial intelligence, urban agriculture, agricultural data analysis, and digital marketing platforms, opportunities are increasing for women to develop projects that are more capable of expansion, competition, and continuity, whether within the local market or at the level of regional markets.

In conclusion, the UAE Agricultural Conference and Exhibition 2026 presents a clear picture of the presence of Emirati women at the heart of agricultural transformation, not only as producers or entrepreneurs, but as partners in building a more aware, sustainable and efficient food system.

Among these inspiring models, it is clear that empowering women in the agricultural sector is no longer a parallel path to development, but rather has become an integral part of the equation of food security and sustainability of local production in the UAE.

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