ABU DHABI // Sheikha Fatima, the Mother of the Nation, has been named Person of the Year 2017 by the Khalifa International Award For Date Palm And Agricultural Innovation.
The award was given during a conference on Monday, which also saw a citizen farming initiative launch and training programmes announced.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development and Chairman of the Award’s Board of Trustees, said the selection was based on Sheikha Fatima’s role in promoting environmental protection in the UAE and across the world.
The Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation’s work in continuing the achievements of the late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed in empowering women and sustainable development was also noted.
The award ceremony saw the launch of the Exceptional Farmer and Innovative Farmer Award in the UAE, which awards citizen farmers who excel in the field of date production.
Organisers are hoping to make the award a recurring event to encourage date palm farmers to improve the field of date production in the country.
The organisation also has plans of training promising farmers for competitions on the international level. It also comes in appreciation of the farmers’ efforts, which contributed to strengthening sustainable development in the UAE.
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