From home gardening and food production to hydroponics and value-added products, a new programme in Sharjah aims to help women turn an interest in agriculture into a source of income and potentially a scalable business.
NAMA Women Advancement will launch its Agri-Business Programme 2026 with four introductory workshops across Sharjah city, Kalba, Al Dhaid and Al Hamriyah from September 14 to 17.
The programme is designed around a simple idea: agriculture is no longer limited to traditional farming. The sector offers business opportunities across cultivation, food processing, product development, marketing, distribution and related services.
For women looking to explore those opportunities, the workshops will provide an introduction to agricultural production and the commercial potential behind it.
Around 50 participants are expected at each location. Open to women aged 18 and above with an interest in agriculture, the workshops will combine classroom learning with hands-on gardening and agricultural training. Participants will also learn about sustainable farming practices and how an initial idea could develop into a productive activity or business.
H.E. Mariam Al Hammadi, Director General of NAMA Women Advancement, said the programme is focused on giving women the knowledge and skills to turn what they learn into economic opportunities.
“Agriculture offers opportunities across production, product development, processing, marketing, distribution and related services,” she said, adding that new possibilities are emerging as technology and production methods continue to evolve.
The introductory workshops are the first stage of a wider training pathway.
Women who choose to continue can register for Level One: Basic Agri-Business, an 11-day programme in Kalba in October. The course will cover sustainable agribusiness alongside practical skills including home and urban gardening, soil preparation, irrigation, pest management, composting, harvesting, food safety and the development of value-added agricultural products.
Participants who complete the first level and meet the eligibility requirements can then move on to Level Two: Hydroponics, a nine-day programme in Al Dhaid in November.
The specialised course will focus on soilless cultivation, crop and nutrient management, greenhouse operations and sustainable production techniques.
The initiative is part of NAMA’s wider focus on women’s economic empowerment and livelihoods. It also supports the UAE’s broader ambitions around sustainable local food production and food security.
For participants, however, the opportunity is more immediate: learning how a skill that may begin in a garden or small plot can potentially grow into a business of its own.
