Smart Farming Technologies (SFT) involve leveraging advanced technologies such as cloudstorage, IoT, big data, and mobile devices to gather environmental data and monitor crop growth. These technologies enable effective risk management and timely interventions, ultimately enhancing the quality and quantity of agricultural production.

Smart farming offers numerous advantages to farmers, including higher crop yields resulting from improved crop quality, better water management, enhanced soil health, and increased farm safety. By minimising issues such as pest infestations, these technologies reduce the time farmers spend on problem-solving, leading to more efficient and productive farming practices.

One prominent example of this transformation is Kairos Agriculture, located in Penanti, Seberang Perai, which has established a six-acre vanilla smart farm within the Permatang Pauh Agro-Park and Integrated Eco-Farm since 2020. The farm produces various vanilla-based products, including ice cream, coffee, sweeteners, massage oils, powders, mosquito repellents, essential oils for perfumes, hand sanitizers, and more. Vanilla, known as one of the most coveted and costly flavors, typically fetches between RM800 and RM1,200 per kilogram, according to Joseph Chan, Chief Operating Officer of Kairos Agriculture. By leveraging advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Big Data, the farm has successfully shortened the vanilla plant’ s growth period from the standard four to five years to just two and a half years. [1]

Penang’s agricultural sector contributes just 2% to the state’s GDP, but its role in ensuringfood security cannot be overlooked. The adoption of SFT has not only the potential toimprove the quality of produce but also to reduce dependency on imported goods. The state government and initiatives like the Penang Green Council encourage young farmers to explore these opportunities in modern agriculture. 2 By diversifying crops and implementing sustainable practices, Penang can strengthen its local food security while promoting a more environmentally responsible approach to farming.

This modernisation can also address key challenges such as pest control, soil health, and water management. Reducing the time spent on traditional problem-solving allows farmers to focus on more productive tasks, ultimately contributing to a safer and more resilient farming ecosystem. In this way, smart farming offers a pathway to modernising agriculture in Penang, ensuring that the sector remains viable and sustainable for future generations.

REFERENCES

1 Bernama. (2024). Pioneering vanilla smart farming. Bulletin Mutiara, August 13.
https://www.buletinmutiara.com/pioneering-vanilla-smart-farming/

2 Bernama. (2023). Penang CM urges youth in state to take up modern agriculture to empower food security.
The Malay Mail. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/12/09/penang-cm-urges-youth-in-state-
to-take-up-modern-agriculture-to-empower-food-security/106755