The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has launched the “First National Agricultural Guidance Forum” aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural transformation, sharing experiences, and highlighting the significance of agricultural guidance in supporting farmers while disseminating best and latest practices and climate-smart innovations.
This initiative coincides with the 2025 UAE Agricultural Conference and Exhibition, organized by the ministry at the ADNEC in Al Ain, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the State, Deputy Prime Minister, and Head of the Presidential Office.
The first edition of the forum included crucial discussions on farmer empowerment, the role of women in agricultural guidance, and insights into agricultural counseling, as well as showcasing remarkable experiences and inspiring models in agricultural guidance and farmer empowerment.
In his speech, Dr. Mohammed Salman Al Hamadi, Assistant Undersecretary for Food Diversity at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, stated that the First National Agricultural Guidance Forum comes at a critical time as the UAE undergoes a comprehensive transformation in its agricultural vision, recognizing it as a fundamental pillar for enhancing food security and achieving overall development. He described the event as a deliberate step to establish agricultural guidance as a key tool in supporting and developing farmer capabilities by translating knowledge and advanced technologies into practical applications, reflecting the ministry’s profound belief in the essential role of agricultural advisors as a bridge between research centers and farms.
Al Hamadi pointed out that the forum addresses the climate and economic challenges facing the agricultural sector, emphasizing that agricultural guidance is vital in enabling farmers to optimally utilize resources, enhance production quality, and act as a strategic platform for unifying efforts between federal and local institutions, primarily the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, which are leaders in advancing this sector through the adoption of innovative policies and programs, aiming to achieve practical outcomes and actionable recommendations to guarantee sustainable food security and a smart agricultural economy in the UAE.
Dr. Walid Abu Al Hasin, Chief Natural Resources Officer at the FAO Sub-Regional Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council States and Yemen, affirmed that the launch of the First National Agricultural Guidance Forum is a strategic step in the sustainable agricultural transformation embraced by the UAE. He emphasized FAO’s commitment to supporting this transition through strengthened partnerships, knowledge exchange, and developing agricultural guidance programs that empower farmers to adopt smart and effective agricultural practices. He noted that agricultural guidance is no longer an option but a necessity to ensure food security, address climate challenges, and empower youth and women in the agricultural sector.
The forum also featured a session titled “Empowering Farmers – Success Stories from Engagement with Farmers,” which included participation from Bassam Ismail Al Shobki of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and Amina Salem Al Amiri of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, moderated by Salama Khamis Al Kaabi from the ministry.
This session revealed a variety of success stories that transformed challenges into opportunities through technical, financial, and marketing support, focusing on ways to shift from traditional agriculture to more sustainable and profitable production patterns.
Additionally, engineers Fatima Mohammed bin Tarash, Fatima Saif Al Kaabi from the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, and Jumaa Rashid Al Ziyoudi from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment discussed the growing role of Emirati women in supporting agricultural transformation through their work in agricultural guidance during the session “Women in Agricultural Guidance – Challenges and Opportunities.”
The session highlighted professional development opportunities available for female agricultural advisors and mechanisms to enhance their involvement in building a more innovative and sustainable agricultural system, led by Leila Ahmed Al Dhaheri from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
A presentation titled “Field Schools Experience in the United Arab Emirates,” delivered by Moamen Guilani from FAO, focused on the field school model as an effective tool for empowering farmers through participatory learning, knowledge sharing, and hands-on field training, enhancing their skills and capacity to make informed agricultural decisions.
The forum concluded with a discussion session entitled “Essential Steps and Tips for Successful Agricultural Guidance,” featuring Engineer Jamal Mahmoud Al Naqbi from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Engineer Mohammed Ahmed Al Blooshi from the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, moderated by Sheikha Al Abdool. The session examined key factors influencing the effectiveness of agricultural guidance programs, highlighting successful practices that could support farmers, increase their productivity, and reinforce the role of guidance as a cornerstone in achieving food security.