Mohamed Bin Zayed Water Initiative Unveils Al Miyah Challenge To Drive Agricultural Water Innovations

The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative has introduced the Al Miyah Challenge to speed up the creation and use of new water solutions. The first competition, Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture, focuses on reducing water use in farming while maintaining crop yields. This AED8 million contest is open to both local and international teams, who will showcase their technologies in the UAE by December 2026.

Teams interested in participating must register online by 30th June 2025. They need to have feasible solutions ready for testing in the UAE during the challenge period. The winning team will receive AED3.7 million and a chance to further test their technology locally. Remaining funds will be shared among runners-up.

The programme aims to find practical water solutions that can be used in the UAE and potentially expanded to other regions facing water scarcity. The initiative collaborates with key organisations like ADAFSA, ASPIRE, and Silal Food and Technology to support this goal.

Ayesha Al Ateeqi, Executive Director of The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, stated that the challenge seeks solutions that boost agricultural productivity while reducing water usage. "Scalability and deployment of technologies is a key aim of the initiative in its mission to help create a world in which water is more accessible, affordable, and sustainable for all," she said.

Mouza Suhail Al Muhairi from ADAFSA emphasised their role in providing strategic oversight and technical expertise. She noted that this aligns with Abu Dhabi's long-term goals for food security and resource conservation. "Through this collaboration, we aim to accelerate the adoption of water-efficient technologies by bridging the gap between research and real-world application," she added.

Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, highlighted innovation's importance in sustainable agriculture. He expressed pride in partnering with The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative to transform innovation into tangible impacts. Salmeen Al Ameri, CEO of Silal, stressed that addressing water scarcity requires both innovation and collaboration.

Encouraging Innovation

The Al Miyah Challenge programme includes various prize competitions aimed at discovering innovative water solutions applicable across different sectors. Competing teams will present live pitches and pilot their solutions in the UAE to demonstrate real-world impact.

This initiative reflects the UAE leadership's vision for integrating advanced technology with sustainable practices to optimise water use and enhance agricultural productivity. It also aims to create a model for other nations facing similar challenges.

The competition encourages technical creativity by supporting practical water technologies. It seeks solutions that can be scaled up after successful implementation in the UAE, offering potential benefits for other arid regions worldwide.

With inputs from WAM