Finalists of the Al Miyah Challenge Showcase Water-Efficient Agriculture Solutions

The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative has unveiled the six finalist teams for the concluding stage of the Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture, a pivotal moment in advancing water efficiency in farming practices.

These finalists were chosen from a pool of 21 shortlisted teams drawn from an impressive 846 original submissions across 54 countries, each proposing innovative solutions to optimize water use in both indoor and outdoor agriculture.

The selected teams are:

• CRETA (UAE): Harnesses underground cooling systems to minimize water requirements in controlled agricultural environments.
• Raincatcher (UAE): Enhances soil moisture retention, allowing water to remain in the root zone for extended periods.
• Agri-vit (Egypt): A bio-fertiliser designed to help crops endure heat and salinity while consuming less water.
• Krilltech (Brazil): Implements nanotechnology-based bio-stimulants to augment crop resilience and water-saving techniques.
• M4Life (Argentina): Develops microbial solutions that enhance water absorption and drought endurance.
• EF Polymer (India): Transforms fruit waste into a natural soil additive to promote crop growth with reduced water usage.

These teams will progress to real-world testing in the UAE, specifically at Silal’s Innovation Oasis facility in Al Ain, which is equipped with greenhouses, open fields, and agricultural research laboratories.

The challenge is conducted in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Silal, ASPIRE, and the Zayed for Good Foundation. It offers an impressive total prize pool of AED 8 million and emphasizes solutions applicable in water-scarce areas.

Officials underscored that agriculture consumes the highest volume of global freshwater, making efficient water use a pressing concern. The initiative is designed to support implementable technologies that can enhance productivity while curtailing water usage.

The announcement of the winning team and runners-up is expected by the conclusion of 2026, following the completion of field trials and performance assessments tailored to UAE conditions.