Key Takeaways
- The Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture is the first competition under the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative’s new water innovation programme.
- With an AED8 million prize pool, the challenge seeks local and international solutions to reduce water use in agriculture while maintaining or enhancing crop yields.
- The winning team will receive AED3.7 million, with additional awards for runners-up and an opportunity for pilot deployment in the UAE.
- The initiative is backed by key UAE institutions: ADAFSA, ASPIRE, and Silal.
- Technologies must be demonstrated in the UAE by December 2026 and show potential for scalability in other water-scarce regions.
Al Miyah Challenge: Driving Innovation in Agricultural Water Efficiency
A Strategic Launch for the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative
The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative has launched the Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture, a global competition designed to fast-track the development and deployment of water-saving technologies in agriculture. This competition marks the first of several prize challenges under the broader Al Miyah Challenge programme, targeting critical sectors affected by water scarcity.
With agriculture accounting for nearly 70% of global water use, the competition seeks to surface technologies that can reduce water consumption without compromising, and ideally improving, agricultural productivity—a challenge particularly relevant to arid regions like the UAE.
“The launch of the first Al Miyah Challenge is consistent with our ambition to accelerate innovation with tangible programmes that support practical water technologies and encourage technical creativity,” said Ayesha Al Ateeqi, Executive Director of The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative.
Al Miyah Prize Structure and Evaluation Process
Testing in UAE, Scaling for Global Impact
The AED8 million prize pool will be distributed among the most promising entries, with AED3.7 million awarded to the winning team. Eligible teams must have solutions with demonstrated feasibility and the ability to pilot their technologies in the UAE during the December 2026 challenge window.
Technologies will be evaluated through live pitches and field demonstrations in the UAE, assessing their potential for real-world deployment in the country’s unique agricultural landscape.
“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,” Al Ateeqi added.
Collaborative Effort with Key UAE Institutions
Supporting National Food Security and Resource Conservation Goals
The challenge is supported by three leading UAE institutions:
- Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA)
- ASPIRE, the innovation acceleration arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC)
- Silal, a company focused on agri-food technology and distribution
“This initiative reflects the UAE leadership’s vision where cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices converge,” said Mouza Suhail Al Muhairi, Deputy Director-General at ADAFSA.
“Through this collaboration, we aim to accelerate the adoption of water-efficient technologies and create a blueprint for other water-scarce nations.”
Bridging Research and Application
From Concept to Field-Ready Technologies
Participants must bring ready-to-pilot solutions to the table. The competition encourages technologies that bridge the gap between research and real-world application, enabling broad adoption across water-stressed regions.
“Innovation is key to sustainable agriculture,” said Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE. “This challenge ensures the latest technology and research are applied where it matters most.”
Salmeen Al Ameri, CEO of Silal, emphasized: “Water scarcity is a critical challenge for agriculture in the UAE, and tackling it requires innovation and collaboration.”
