Pushing for a stronger agri-tech sector in Malaysia

By Jason Loh

 

AGRI-TECH (otherwise also known as agro-tech or agtech) has the potential to make tremendous stride in Malaysia – driven forward by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) – towards the goal of food sovereignty, food security and food safety.

Even though still at its early stage, agri-tech in Malaysia has shown promising results as embodied in the pilot project managed by the local Farmers’ Organisation/Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan (PPK) – agricultural cooperative reorganised under the Farmers Organisation Act 1(973) – for the district of Kuala Langat.

Individual farmers or private limited companies (i.e., the smallholders) come under the care and oversight of the PPK. In turn, the PPK is under the jurisdiction of the national Farmers’ Organisation Authority (Lembaga Pertubuhan Peladang/LPP), Ministry of Agriculture & Food Industry (Mafi).

The pilot project involves collaboration with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (Mdec), specifically in its agtech scheme known as e-Ladang which aims “to pilot digital technology use cases in transforming traditional farming into a high-income digital economy profession”.

It is divided into the i) e-marketplaces; ii) last mile delivery; iii) smart farming; iv) transporter; and v) warehousing/storage components. For the Kuala Langat PPK pilot project, the focus has been on smart farming.

Smart farming, also known as precision farming, involves use of the Internet-of-Things (IoT) and automation to control and monitor the farming process from fertilisation and irrigation which is combined as fertigation to pesticide spraying and harvesting.

As reported and analysed in the EMIR Research policy article, “Time to modernise the agricultural sector for food security” by Ameen Kamal, “smart sensors embedded in each polybag [are used] to [precisely] detect temperature and humidity, providing information on when and how much water is needed … [T]he sensors … can also [precisely] measure pH of the medium and fertiliser concentration, specific quantities of nutrients are solubilised using pumps in a mixing tank, which are then pumped through small pipes that drips at each polybag”.

The data and process are not only monitored in real-time but can also be conducted remotely, i.e., outside the farm itself. Digitalisation not only saves on costs (i.e., in terms of labour and reducing leakages and wastages) but also increases yields and thereby the income of farmers.

According to the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) chairman Datuk Wira Dr Hj Rais Hussin, in general, yields have increased by 33% and income has gone up by 20%.

Thus, by a single stroke, digitalisation could both address and even “permanently resolve” our self-sufficiency issue as well as enabling farmers to enjoy higher income on a sustainable basis.

In improving and enhancing the IoT system, the use of low-powered wide-area/LPWA IoT such as Narrowband IoT/NB-IoT should be considered, as proposed by Ameen Kamal.

NB-IoT would promote a more energy-efficient IoT system covering extended range (i.e., longer distance) for applications on larger farms and plantations and which can also be used for underground coverage when somewhere in the future the farming could also done in tunnels and caverns.

To supplement and complement NB-IoT especially in terms of minimising latency lag, it could also be modelled along edge computing which would bring the IoT system (currently on 4G LTE networks) in line with the coming 5G technology.

Edge computing basically brings data processing and analysis closer to the IoT devices rather than being entirely dependent on a local data infrastructure or centralised cloud servers which would still be needed as backup. It can serve as a kind of “secondary” or rather parallel sensor that collects and communicates real-time data.

Such application of edge computing also promotes machine learning and deep learning for artificial intelligence (AI) by allowing for the incorporation of accumulated experience alongside tailor-made and context-specific recognition and parsing.

Edge computing especially also integrates well with hydroponics, aeroponics and integrated agriculture-aquaculture. In addition, edge computing can also promote the use of biowaste for biogas to be used biofertilisers, thus promoting the recycling of organic wastes in line with the Green Technology Master Plan Malaysia (2017-2030).

Such a framework will pave the way for a blockchain/distributed ledger technology to be put in place and where real-time data and supply chain process can then be easily accessed and traceable by customers/consumers.

The edge computing supported-IoT system can be powered by solar power to reduce electricity costs and promote the integrated use of renewable energy in agriculture. Photovoltaic (PV) panels can be installed on the fringes of the farm or form a “semi-greenhouse” or even on top of a fully-fledged greenhouse.

Digitalisation is not limited only to the on-site farming itself but extends to the post-harvest stage whereby AI is deployed for the sorting process due for packaging and transportation.

Going forward, the extended application of AI and deployment of warehouse and logistical automation such as robotics and drones, respectively, drive the supply chain to become more resilient, especially in light of the disruptions precipitated by the movement control order (MCO) measures under COVID-19 and looking towards the promotion of a low-touch economy as part of the “new normal”.

The use of digital technologies to propel our agricultural sector forward is expected to be reflected in the upcoming 12th Malaysia Plan and National Agrofood Policy 2.0 as high potential drivers and sources of growth for the nation.

Indeed, we are bracing for exciting times in the field of our agricultural sector – as it too “graduates” and surges into the 4IR era with step-by-step applications of digital technologies such as IoT, AI and automation.

While it’s probably unrealistic to expect total self-sufficiency, agri-tech will ensure our food sovereignty (in reducing over-dependence), food security (in promoting the stability and sustainability of supply and access), and food safety (in ensuring higher and better health and environmental standards). – April 17, 2021

 

Jason Loh Seong Wei is head of Social, Law & Human Rights at EMIR Research, an independent think tank focussed on strategic policy recommendations based on rigorous research.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.

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