Al Ain:The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative is advancing field tests of innovative solutions from its Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture, which aim to reduce water consumption in greenhouse cooling and crop irrigation. These solutions focus on engineered climate-management systems and water-retention technologies to ensure efficient water use in agriculture.

According to Wam, UAE-based companies CRETA Group and Raincatcher Technologies are finalists in the Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture. CRETA Group has developed a multi-zone greenhouse system that integrates underground heat exchange and engineered airflow, reducing thermal loads in greenhouses while minimizing water consumption. Their system prioritizes the microclimate around crops, transforming greenhouses into integrated climate-management systems. The system has shown potential in Mediterranean climates, with significant reductions in cooling-water usage and electricity consumption.

Raincatcher Technologies, based in Dubai, offers a biodegradable soil improver combining superabsorbent polymers and nutrients to enhance water retention in sandy soils. The product is injected near plant roots, storing water for gradual release and encouraging deeper root systems. This solution has demonstrated substantial water savings in trials, including an 85% reduction in water use for date palms at the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture in Dubai.

Both companies are contributing to more sustainable agricultural practices by utilizing existing infrastructure and addressing unique climate and crop conditions. Their innovations promise to reduce water and energy demands, offering potential economic benefits and environmental sustainability.