Post by : Badri Ariffin

The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative has unveiled the six finalist teams for the Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture, marking a significant advancement in enhancing water efficiency within the agricultural sector.

Chosen from an original pool of 846 teams across 54 countries, these finalists emerged from 21 shortlisted contenders, each presenting creative solutions aimed at minimizing water consumption in both indoor and outdoor farming.

The six finalists are:

• CRETA (UAE): Implements underground cooling systems to lessen water requirements in controlled farming scenarios.
• Raincatcher (UAE): Enhances soil moisture retention to keep water in the root zone for prolonged periods.
• Agri-vit (Egypt): A bio-fertilizer designed to help crops withstand heat and salinity while requiring less water.
• Krilltech (Brazil): Utilizes nanotechnology-based bio-stimulants to improve crop resilience and efficient water use.
• M4Life (Argentina): Develops microbial solutions to enhance water absorption and drought resistance.
• EF Polymer (India): Transforms fruit waste into a natural soil enhancer that promotes crop growth with reduced water.

These teams will progress to live testing in the UAE, with trials scheduled at Silal’s Innovation Oasis in Al Ain, featuring greenhouses, open fields, and agricultural research labs.

In collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Silal, ASPIRE, and the Zayed for Good Foundation, the challenge offers a total prize of AED 8 million and emphasizes solutions applicable in regions facing water scarcity.

Officials noted that agriculture consumes the largest share of global freshwater, making efficient water use crucial. This initiative seeks to bolster practical technologies that can enhance productivity while curbing water usage.

The winning team and runners-up will be revealed by the end of 2026 following rigorous field tests and evaluations under UAE conditions.

#Global News #UAE News #Abu Dhabi News #Abu Dhabi