Photo Credit : WAM
The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative has announced six international finalists for its Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture, marking a major step toward developing practical solutions for water-efficient farming. The finalists were selected from 21 shortlisted teams, drawn from an initial pool of 846 entries spanning 54 countries.
The selected teams showcase a wide range of innovations aimed at reducing water use while improving agricultural productivity. From the UAE, CRETA is using underground cooling systems to minimise water consumption in controlled environments, while Raincatcher focuses on improving soil moisture retention. Egypt’s Agri-vit introduces a bio-fertiliser designed to strengthen crops against heat and salinity with reduced water needs.
Other finalists include Brazil’s Krilltech, which applies nanotechnology to enhance crop resilience, Argentina-based M4Life with tailored microbial solutions to improve water uptake, and India’s EF Polymer, which converts fruit waste into soil additives that help crops grow in arid conditions.
The six teams will now enter the final phase, where their technologies will undergo real-world testing in the UAE. Trials will take place at Silal’s Innovation Oasis research facility in Al Ain, which features advanced greenhouses, open-field plots, and laboratories designed to support agricultural innovation.
The competition, launched in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Silal, ASPIRE, and the Zayed for Good Foundation, offers a total prize pool of AED8 million. Winners are expected to be announced by the end of 2026.
Officials say the initiative aims to fast-track solutions that can be deployed in the UAE and scaled across water-scarce regions globally. Agriculture remains one of the largest consumers of freshwater worldwide, making innovation in this sector critical to addressing climate and resource challenges.
Ayesha Al Ateeqi, Executive Director of the initiative, highlighted the importance of practical, scalable technologies in tackling water scarcity, noting that the finalists represent “bold and actionable innovation” with real-world impact potential.
Leaders from partner organisations also stressed the importance of testing these technologies under local conditions to evaluate their scalability and effectiveness, reinforcing the UAE’s broader strategy to strengthen food security and sustainable resource management through innovation.
