Raincatcher and EF Polymer test root-zone water retention in UAE Al Miyah Challenge

Two companies are testing root-zone water retention technologies under hot, arid conditions in the United Arab Emirates as part of the Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture. UAE-based Raincatcher Technologies and India’s EF Polymer are both trying to keep irrigation water close to plant roots, but each takes a different approach.

The trials will assess how the technologies perform in UAE conditions. They will also test whether the technologies can reduce irrigation requirements while maintaining crop performance.

Two approaches to the same problem

Raincatcher Technologies has developed a subsurface water-retention material that is applied beneath plant roots. The material is designed to absorb irrigation water and gradually release it back into the root zone.

EF Polymer is testing a biodegradable superabsorbent polymer made from natural materials. The polymer is mixed into the soil to hold water close to plant roots and release moisture as the soil dries.

The main difference between the two lies in where and how the material works. Raincatcher’s product is placed below the roots, where it captures water before it moves beyond them. EF Polymer’s material is spread through the soil itself, where it releases water in response to drying conditions.

Why root-zone water retention matters in arid conditions

In hot, arid regions, deep percolation and evaporation can limit how efficiently irrigation works. Deep percolation occurs when water drains below the depth that roots can reach. Evaporation removes moisture from the soil before plants can take it up.

Both technologies address what happens to water once it reaches the soil, rather than how it is delivered. By keeping water available at root level for longer, they aim to make better use of each irrigation event.

Testing under UAE conditions

The UAE’s climate offers a demanding test environment for products intended to conserve water in agriculture. The trials are designed to show whether laboratory or earlier performance holds up under high temperatures and arid soil conditions.

The two companies come from different markets, with Raincatcher Technologies based in the UAE and EF Polymer in India. Their participation reflects the international scope of the challenge. The information released so far does not include trial results, crop types, trial sites or timelines.

Context for irrigation efficiency

Much of the effort to improve irrigation efficiency has focused on delivery systems that apply water more precisely. H2O Global News has previously reported on drip irrigation and water management, where water is applied directly to the plant base to reduce waste.

Soil-based retention materials could complement such systems by keeping water in place after it has been applied. The outcome of the Al Miyah Challenge trials will indicate whether either approach can deliver measurable water savings in arid agriculture without affecting crop performance.

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