Mohamed Bin Zayed Water Initiative Reveals Teams Advancing In Al Miyah Challenge For Agricultural Water Solutions

The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative has revealed the teams moving forward in the Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture. This competition, part of a series under the Al Miyah Challenge programme, aims to find ways to reduce water use in agriculture while maintaining or boosting crop yields. Selected from hundreds of applicants across 54 countries, 21 teams have been chosen to advance.

These teams represent a diverse group from 13 countries, including regions like the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. They consist of startups, established companies, and research groups focused on tackling water-related agricultural challenges. Their innovative solutions range from precision irrigation and AI-driven analytics to biodegradable materials and atmospheric water generation.

The announcement follows the registration deadline set for 30 June 2025. The selected teams will now present their proposals to a panel of judges this month. After evaluations and site visits in the UAE and abroad, finalists will be invited to pilot their technologies for farming solutions in the UAE starting November 2025.

Finalists will be announced in January 2026, with winners revealed by December 2026. The competition supports real-world testing of new approaches like smart irrigation and circular water systems. In collaboration with Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), ASPIRE, and Silal Food and Technology, the challenge offers an AED 8 million prize.

Ayesha Al Ateeqi, Executive Director of The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, expressed excitement over the international interest and innovative technologies emerging from the challenge. She emphasised that addressing water use in agriculture is crucial for tackling global water scarcity.

Partnerships Driving Innovation

Dhafer AlQasimi, Group CEO of Silal, highlighted that innovation and collaboration are vital to addressing water scarcity challenges in agriculture. By partnering with The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative's Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture, they aim to find practical solutions for improving water efficiency.

Mouza Suhail Al Muhairi from ADAFSA noted that qualifying innovative teams is a key step towards developing practical solutions for water scarcity. ADAFSA plans to use its research stations to test these innovations under local conditions.

Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, stated that innovation must be tested in real-world settings. The Al Miyah Challenge aligns with their mission to turn bold ideas into scalable technologies suitable for complex environments.

The initiative underscores global collaboration's importance in accelerating solutions at the intersection of water and agriculture. It brings together entrepreneurs from emerging markets with established agribusiness leaders committed to reducing water usage while enhancing agricultural productivity.

With inputs from WAM