The UN Food and Agriculture Organization selected Emirati farmer Khadija Darwish Alqubaisi for its 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development initiative, announced on 9 October 2026. The programme recognises women’s contributions across the agrifood value chain during the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Alqubaisi owns Nad Al Dhab farm in Al Ain and has promoted smart and sustainable farming and agricultural learning for young people.

FAO said the 100 honourees were chosen after more than 600 nominations from 131 countries. Alqubaisi won the Distinguished Female Farmer category at the 2026 Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award and launched an initiative supporting smart, sustainable farms. The selected women are due to be honoured at FAO headquarters in Rome on 15 October 2026. The release reports recognition and programme activity, not comparative farm output or an independently measured sustainability impact.