The agro-food sector is a cornerstone of Malaysia’s economy, contributing 11.6% to the national GDP and providing employment to 1.87 million individuals in 2023, which represents approximately 10% of the country’s workforce. Aligned with its transformative vision, the Government has outlined three key objectives for the agro-food system: to become globally competitive and innovative, to enhance the livelihoods of food producers while ensuring access to affordable and nutritious food, and to minimise the sector’s environmental footprint.
In Malaysia, including Penang, the agri-food industry is undergoing a remarkable transformation driven by the integration of modern technologies. Innovations such as smart farming systems and Internet of Things (IoT) applications are redefining agriculture, shedding its traditional image as labour intensive and outdated. These advancements have positioned the sector as a vibrant, tech-savvy field that holds significant appeal for younger generations, promising a future where agriculture is both sustainable and progressive.
Two young agropreneurs from Penang, Mohamad Amirul Akmal Abdullah, 32, and Ahmad Hedri Muzammil Abdul Malik, 31, shared insights into their experiences in modern farming.
Mohamad Amirul, who manages farms at the Ara Kuda Permanent Crop Production Site (TKPM), Kampung Guar Perahu, and Kampung Kubu, has embraced IoT and artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency. Using systems like automated fertilisation and irrigation, monitored via smartphones, he has significantly reduced manual labour and improved crop management. Amirul has developed his own IoT systems and hopes the state government will support such innovations to lower maintenance costs and boost local agri-tech solutions. He grows a variety of crops, including pumpkins, cucumbers, and beans, and has been recognised with the Penang Bumiputera Entrepreneur Award 2023 for his contributions.
Ahmad Hedri, who has a degree in Geomatics Science, started farming chilies in 2015 and has since expanded to cultivating vegetables using the fertigation system on over 10,000 polybags across several sites, including TKPM Ara Kuda and Sungai Jarak. This system minimises risks such as flooding and improves crop yields. He emphasises that fertigation simplifies planting and enhances produce quality. Ahmad, who has faced challenges like floods and insect attacks, remains committed to advancing IoT and agrotechnology in his operations.
Penang’s state government is actively supporting agrotechnology and youth involvement in agriculture. Exco Agrotechnology & Food Security and Cooperative Development, Fahmi Zainol highlighted initiatives such as applying for allocations to develop IoT platforms, introducing innovative farming techniques like container farming and durian cultivation using IoT, and collaborating with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) on modern agricultural solutions. The Penang Agritech Startup Accelerator Program, launching in 2025, aims to encourage startups to showcase agri-tech innovations for the sector.
The federal government’s increased budget allocation for agriculture in 2025 further reflects its commitment to strengthening food security and fostering technological collaboration between state and national projects. For instance, RM500,000 has been allocated to a smart agriculture project using IoT systems for rice cultivation.
These developments underscore a shift toward digitisation in agriculture, inspiring more youth to join the sector and paving the way for sustainable, efficient, and high-tech farming practices.
References
[1] World Bank. (2024). Farming the future: Harvesting Malaysia’s agricultural resilience through digital technologies. Malaysia Economic Monitor October 2024. Washington, DC: World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/42245
[2] Ainul Wardah, S. (2024). Agroteknologi baharu ‘tambat hati’ belia. Buletin Mutiara, 1-15 Disember. https://www.buletinmutiara.com/download/2024/BuletinMutiaraDec12024-BM.pdf
[3] See footnote 2.