Kuala Lumpur: Digital technology, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) advancements will continue to be instrumental in driving Malaysia’s agri-food and agri-commodity sectors, said Deputy Plantations and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin. Speaking at the opening of Pakar Pertanian Expo 2025 today, he emphasised that agricultural innovations are crucial for boosting yields, optimising resource management, and promoting environmental sustainability.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chan stated that precision farming, traceability, and a circular economy are now necessities. By adopting precision farming techniques, yields can be maximised while minimising environmental impact. Digital traceability technology will enhance transparency, boost productivity in agriculture and plantations, and strengthen international market confidence in Malaysian products.
With the evolving global landscape, Chan urged industry players to embrace modern technology, sustainable practices, and digital transformation to maintain the agriculture and plantation sector’s competitiveness. He highlighted the effectiveness of Digital Agriculture Technology (Digital AgTech), noting that as of 2024, over 600 Digital AgTech systems have been successfully implemented nationwide, benefiting 30,000 agricultural entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs have received digitalisation training to enhance their skills in using the Internet of Things (IoT) and AI technology in daily operations.
The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), as the implementing agency for Digital AgTech, plays a crucial role in ensuring that digital technologies developed by technology partners directly benefit agricultural entrepreneurs, ultimately strengthening the efficiency of the agricultural sector. Spanning all major agricultural sub-sectors, the Digital AgTech initiative empowers agricultural operations by integrating real-time data-driven digital technology. This approach boosts productivity and revenue while reducing operating costs, contributing to efforts to address food security challenges through technological adoption.
Meanwhile, as part of its innovation efforts, the Ministry of Plantations and Commodities (KPK), through the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), previously established the Mechanisation and Automation Research Consortium of Oil Palm (MARCOP), a public-private partnership. ‘MARCOP leverages mechanisation and automation technologies to explore, evaluate, design, and implement solutions aimed at increasing productivity in Malaysia’s palm oil plantation industry while reducing reliance on manual labour,’ Chan said.
The Pakar Pertanian Expo 2025, running from today until Feb 22 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS), features 218 booths, 126 exhibitors, and 630 local and international brands. Participants can explore innovations across various sectors, including IoT-based smart agriculture, aquaculture, sustainable food processing, and modern agricultural machinery.