Fuelling Sharjah’s and the UAE’s goals to become the world’s best in the Global Food Security Index by 2051, the Sharjah Entrepreneurship centre (Sheraa) has announced the sixth edition of Access Sharjah Challenge (ASC) with AgriTech and Live Health as its two competition tracks.

The Dhs500,000 challenge is an unmissable opportunity for startups worldwide who have viable prototypes to receive world-class mentoring and expand globally.

Applicants must apply on the Sheraa website before September 5, 2024. The Department of Agriculture and Livestock and the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment have collaborated with Sheraa to design the 2024 edition of Access Sharjah Challenge. The prestigious initiative also benefits from the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Real Estate.

Eligibility, mentorship & product development opportunities and a huge cash prize To be shortlisted, applicants must present practical, implementable solutions and a ready-to-use model and commit to establishing their company. The top 10 shortlisted ideas will undergo intensive training to refine their concepts into viable projects.

Access Sharjah Challenge 2024 aims to invite and support startups during their critical growth phase, offering innovative solutions contributing to long-term economic and environmental sustainability.

Additionally, entrepreneurs will receive mentorship and guidance to transform their creative ideas into successful, sustainable businesses. Winners will be selected by a jury and announced. The prize purse of Dhs500,000 will be split evenly between winners of the two tracks. Access Sharjah Challenge 2024 is part of a larger goal of becoming a global food security leader.

Sara Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, highlighted ASC 2024’s role in providing startups and entrepreneurs worldwide with a platform to showcase their innovative solutions, contributing to positive change and fostering innovation in the emirate. She affirmed the challenge’s alignment with Sharjah’s vision to support the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051, aiming to position the country as a global leader in innovation-based food security.

She said: “This year’s challenge demonstrates Sheraa’s commitment to establishing Sharjah as a leading regional and global hub in AgriTech and livestock health. By leveraging modern technology, we aim to enhance agricultural production, achieve self-sufficiency, and address water scarcity resulting from climate change and population growth. This advances sustainable development on economic, social, and environmental fronts.” For his part, Dr. Eng. Khalifa Musabah Al Tunaiji, Chairman of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock in Sharjah, said ASC aims to provide sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by the agricultural and livestock sector. It focuses on developing sustainable strategies to advance the ecosystem, adapt to climate change, and enhance food security by implementing best practices, studies, and innovative technologies, aligning with the national food security strategy and reducing carbon emissions.

He added that Sharjah’s experience in the sector is unparalleled, having made significant efforts to make it resilient. This includes adopting smart and sustainable agricultural practices, using modern technologies to increase wheat production while reducing water usage by 30%, and conducting research at the Mleiha Farm’s biotechnology laboratories. These efforts led to the development of the ‘Sharjah-1’ wheat strain, which is more climate-resilient, water-efficient, highly productive, and nutritionally rich. These achievements earned the Mleiha wheat farm the Future Fit Seal, recognising it as a leading project supporting food security.

The AgriTech track invites innovators to present their visions and establish startups in Sharjah that offer practical solutions, such as sustainable irrigation methods, desalination innovations, and sustainable practices with minimal environmental impact. This track reflects Sheraa’s dedication to addressing water scarcity, which poses a significant threat to regional and global security.

Livestock The livestock health track provides entrepreneurs opportunities to develop or expand startups specialising in livestock health. This includes monitoring systems, preventive technologies, innovative health solutions, and streamlined treatment processes to ensure livestock sustainability and disease-free conditions. This track aims to enhance Sharjah biosecurity system and support sustainable development in livestock farming by supporting entrepreneurs and innovative projects, in addition to encouraging businesses to participate in sustainable development.

A roadmap to drive sustainable innovation in Sharjah and the UAE Sheraa introduces two pioneering tracks aimed at fostering innovation in Sharjah’s agricultural and livestock sectors. The AgriTech track focuses on solutions like sustainable irrigation and desalination methods, addressing critical water scarcity issues.