Women farmers in the United Arab Emirates have been cultivating dates for more than five decades, resulting in personal financial independence.
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In the heart of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a group of women farmers are keeping alive a rich agricultural heritage that dates back over 5,000 years. These women, such as Um Ali and Um Saeed, are an integral part of the UAE’s intertwined Bedouin, coastal, and farming communities.
Um Ali, a renowned date farmer, starts her day at 6am, working tirelessly until 9pm. She carefully collects fresh dates from local farmers and trusted suppliers, sorting them into distinct categories based on their quality. Each date is meticulously cleaned, ensuring all traces of dirt are removed.
Um Ali's work extends beyond her farm. She is involved in the preparation, cleaning, and packaging of dates for sale. Her efforts have allowed her to expand her business to include dates in sweets like rangina, basbousa, date cakes, and various other desserts.
Um Saeed, with nearly 52 years of experience in farming, learned palm farming at the tender age of 10. She takes care of her farms all-year round and owns more than 800 palm trees. She irrigates her palm trees by filling buckets with water from the well. Um Saeed also owns a date and palm trading project.
The lands granted by the rulers of the UAE to support citizens have been cultivated by numerous Emirati women, including Um Ali and Um Saeed. Many women in the UAE have actively engaged in farming and land development over the years.
Historically, Emirati agriculture centred on date palm farming, a culturally significant crop deeply tied to Emirati identity and values. Traditional Emirati farming methods included seasonal cycles adapted by Bedouins, coastal dwellers, and settled farmers, all of whom interacted fluidly, sharing labor and knowledge without strict social division.
In modern times, Emirati farming integrates traditional expertise with new technology and sustainable practices. Public events like the Dubai for Dates exhibition showcase traditional palm farming techniques, including irrigation and pollination, while also employing AI-powered virtual figures to educate and preserve this heritage for future generations.
The UAE is not only recognising the local contributions of these women farmers but also their role as entrepreneurs and cultural ambassadors. In 2025, two Thai women farmers operating a large date farm were nominated for their role in promoting Emirati date cultivation and heritage internationally. This unprecedented recognition highlights farming as a significant cultural and economic sector, to which women contribute globally, including through spreading Emirati heritage.
Um Ali expresses her optimism about the new generation, seeing interest in agriculture and date cultivation among girls. She hopes that the UAE’s agricultural heritage will be preserved and that future generations will continue to develop it.
References:
- Emirati women farmers gain international recognition
- Dubai for Dates exhibition showcases Emirati agricultural heritage
- The role of Emirati women in agriculture
- Emirati women farmers: Preserving a 5,000-year-old agricultural heritage
- The business and cultural significance of traditional date farming in the UAE is robustly displayed at events like the Dubai for Dates exhibition, where modern technology and sustainable practices are integrated with traditional farming techniques to preserve the heritage for future generations.
- In the realm of home-and-garden, Um Ali's efforts have gone beyond farming, expanding her business to create a variety of desserts, including rangina, basbousa, and date cakes, which showcase the versatility and culinary potential of this culturally significant crop.
- The news of two Thai women farmers being nominated for promoting Emirati date cultivation and heritage internationally highlights the lifestyle and economic impact of women farmers, as well as their role as cultural ambassadors, in the UAE and beyond.
