Date: 01/11/2024
The Ajman Business Women Council (AJBWC) has entered into a partnership agreement with Al Shamsi Agricultural Projects Management Consulting in Ajman to support the "Plant the Emirates" National Programme. This collaboration aims to develop home farming projects and empower women and business owners to invest in agriculture. The cooperation agreement was signed at the AJBWC headquarters by Dr. Amna Khalifa Al Ali, Chairperson of the AJBWC, and Dr. Obaid Al Shamsi, Director of Al Shamsi Agricultural Projects Management Consulting, who is an expert in modern agricultural methods. Both parties agreed on the importance of intensifying efforts to educate women on utilizing household spaces by establishing protected and advanced greenhouses that adopt the latest agricultural technologies, in keeping with national directives and to increase the rate of self-sufficiency in agricultural crops. The agreement also encompasses the completion of greenhouse projects for members of AJBWC, with provisions for seedlings, seeds, follow-up, and supervision to enhance productivity and improve crop quality. Dr. Khalifa emphasized that AJBWC is intensifying efforts to expand sustainable agricultural projects in collaboration with partners from relevant authorities. This aims to enhance the Council's participation in the "Plant the Emirates" National Programme, which aspires to achieve leadership in the local agricultural sector, foster agricultural innovation, increase productivity, and advance organic agriculture. She stated that the partnership agreement falls under the AJBWC's "Plant and Reap" initiative, which focuses on empowering women entrepreneurs and young businesspeople to engage in agricultural investment, utilize modern and advanced technologies in hydroponics and vertical farming, and contribute to the provision of healthy food. Dr. Khalifa added, "AJBWC seeks to provide all services and facilities to its members to encourage them to develop their projects and ideas to meet their needs. AJBWC also works to support women in becoming genuine partners in development processes, including economic development, particularly in the agricultural sector, to achieve food security." For his part, Al Shamsi emphasized that the significant developments in the agricultural sector clearly contribute to the growth of home farming, enhancing environmental sustainability and food security. He highlighted the multiple benefits of home farming, including improved crop quality and diversity, water conservation, reduced carbon footprint, and strengthened food security.