emirates7 - The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative has officially launched the Al Miyah Challenge, a global competition designed to fast-track the creation and implementation of cutting-edge water solutions. The inaugural edition, titled the *Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture*, marks the first in a planned series under this broader programme.
Focused on driving innovation, the initial challenge seeks technological advancements that significantly reduce water usage in agriculture while maintaining or enhancing crop yields.
With a prize fund of AED 8 million, the competition is open to both local and international teams. Participants must be prepared to test and demonstrate their solutions within the UAE by December 2026, with the possibility of scaling to other regions facing similar climatic and environmental challenges.
The Al Miyah Challenge programme will consist of multiple prize competitions across various sectors, all aiming to uncover practical, scalable water solutions. It is a key part of the Initiative’s mission to find sustainable technologies that can be piloted in the UAE and extended to other water-stressed regions globally.
The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative has partnered with three major entities for this edition: the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), ASPIRE—part of Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC)—and Silal Food and Technology.
Ayesha Al Ateeqi, Executive Director of the Initiative, stated, “The launch of the Al Miyah Challenge aligns with our commitment to driving meaningful innovation through practical programmes that encourage technical ingenuity in water technology. Agriculture consumes around 70% of global water resources, making this challenge especially relevant for arid regions like ours.”
She added that the goal is to uncover and pilot solutions that can boost farming efficiency while minimizing water use, with potential to roll out these technologies in other countries facing similar water scarcity issues. “Scalability and real-world deployment are core to our mission of making water more accessible, affordable, and sustainable,” she said.
Mouza Suhail Al Muhairi, ADAFSA’s Deputy Director-General for Regulatory and Administrative Affairs, noted that ADAFSA will lend its expertise in sustainable agriculture to provide guidance and ensure alignment with the UAE’s long-term goals for food security and resource conservation.
“This initiative reflects the UAE’s vision of combining technological innovation with sustainable practices to optimize water usage, enhance agricultural productivity, and preserve natural resources for future generations,” she explained.
She emphasized that the collaboration will help bridge the gap between research and application, enabling real-world testing and scalability in the UAE’s unique agricultural conditions—potentially serving as a model for other water-challenged countries.
Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, stressed the vital role of innovation in sustainable farming. “The Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture aims to turn cutting-edge research into real-world impact. Our partnership with The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative is central to this transformation.”
Silal CEO Salmeen Al Ameri highlighted that water scarcity remains a pressing concern for agriculture in the UAE and tackling it demands both innovation and collaborative efforts.
Participating teams must have solutions with proven feasibility, ready for piloting in the UAE during the competition phase, and adaptable for deployment within the country’s relevant sectors.
Of the AED 8 million prize fund, AED 3.7 million will be awarded to the winning team, along with an opportunity to further pilot their solution in the UAE. The remainder will be distributed among other top-performing teams.
Applicants will undergo a rigorous selection process, including live pitches and pilot trials within the UAE, to assess their solution’s innovation, effectiveness, and real-world potential.
Registrations are now open, and interested teams can submit their applications by **30 June 2025** at: [https://www.mohamedbinzayedwi.ae/al-miyah-challenge-for-agriculture](https://www.mohamedbinzayedwi.ae/al-miyah-challenge-for-agriculture).
Focused on driving innovation, the initial challenge seeks technological advancements that significantly reduce water usage in agriculture while maintaining or enhancing crop yields.
With a prize fund of AED 8 million, the competition is open to both local and international teams. Participants must be prepared to test and demonstrate their solutions within the UAE by December 2026, with the possibility of scaling to other regions facing similar climatic and environmental challenges.
The Al Miyah Challenge programme will consist of multiple prize competitions across various sectors, all aiming to uncover practical, scalable water solutions. It is a key part of the Initiative’s mission to find sustainable technologies that can be piloted in the UAE and extended to other water-stressed regions globally.
The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative has partnered with three major entities for this edition: the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), ASPIRE—part of Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC)—and Silal Food and Technology.
Ayesha Al Ateeqi, Executive Director of the Initiative, stated, “The launch of the Al Miyah Challenge aligns with our commitment to driving meaningful innovation through practical programmes that encourage technical ingenuity in water technology. Agriculture consumes around 70% of global water resources, making this challenge especially relevant for arid regions like ours.”
She added that the goal is to uncover and pilot solutions that can boost farming efficiency while minimizing water use, with potential to roll out these technologies in other countries facing similar water scarcity issues. “Scalability and real-world deployment are core to our mission of making water more accessible, affordable, and sustainable,” she said.
Mouza Suhail Al Muhairi, ADAFSA’s Deputy Director-General for Regulatory and Administrative Affairs, noted that ADAFSA will lend its expertise in sustainable agriculture to provide guidance and ensure alignment with the UAE’s long-term goals for food security and resource conservation.
“This initiative reflects the UAE’s vision of combining technological innovation with sustainable practices to optimize water usage, enhance agricultural productivity, and preserve natural resources for future generations,” she explained.
She emphasized that the collaboration will help bridge the gap between research and application, enabling real-world testing and scalability in the UAE’s unique agricultural conditions—potentially serving as a model for other water-challenged countries.
Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, stressed the vital role of innovation in sustainable farming. “The Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture aims to turn cutting-edge research into real-world impact. Our partnership with The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative is central to this transformation.”
Silal CEO Salmeen Al Ameri highlighted that water scarcity remains a pressing concern for agriculture in the UAE and tackling it demands both innovation and collaborative efforts.
Participating teams must have solutions with proven feasibility, ready for piloting in the UAE during the competition phase, and adaptable for deployment within the country’s relevant sectors.
Of the AED 8 million prize fund, AED 3.7 million will be awarded to the winning team, along with an opportunity to further pilot their solution in the UAE. The remainder will be distributed among other top-performing teams.
Applicants will undergo a rigorous selection process, including live pitches and pilot trials within the UAE, to assess their solution’s innovation, effectiveness, and real-world potential.
Registrations are now open, and interested teams can submit their applications by **30 June 2025** at: [https://www.mohamedbinzayedwi.ae/al-miyah-challenge-for-agriculture](https://www.mohamedbinzayedwi.ae/al-miyah-challenge-for-agriculture).