Finalists of Al Miyah Challenge Set to Innovate Water-Saving Agriculture

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative has unveiled the six finalist teams for the concluding stage of the Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture, marking a pivotal advancement in enhancing water conservation in agricultural practices.

Chosen from a pool of 21 shortlisted teams, these finalists emerged from an impressive 846 teams hailing from 54 countries. Their projects introduce cutting-edge solutions to minimize water consumption in agricultural settings, whether indoors or outdoors.

The finalists comprise the following teams:

• CRETA (UAE): Implements underground cooling systems to lessen water use in controlled farming environments.
• Raincatcher (UAE): Enhances soil moisture retention to prolong water availability in the root zone.
• Agri-vit (Egypt): Produces a bio-fertiliser that enables crops to withstand heat and salinity while conserving water.
• Krilltech (Brazil): Utilizes nanotechnology-based bio-stimulants to enhance crop resilience and water usage efficiency.
• M4Life (Argentina): Develops microbial solutions that bolster water absorption and resistance to drought.
• EF Polymer (India): Transforms fruit waste into a natural soil additive that promotes crop growth with reduced water.

These teams will transition to real-world testing in the UAE, with trials being hosted at Silal’s Innovation Oasis facility in Al Ain, which features greenhouses, open fields, and labs dedicated to agricultural research.

This challenge, initiated in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Silal, ASPIRE, and the Zayed for Good Foundation, comes with a total prize pool of AED 8 million, emphasizing solutions suitable for areas facing water scarcity.

Officials underscored that agriculture consumes the largest portion of global freshwater resources, hence prioritizing efficient water usage is crucial. The goal of this initiative is to foster practical technologies that can boost productivity while minimizing water use.

The champion team and runners-up will be revealed by the close of 2026 following comprehensive field trials and evaluations under Emirati conditions.