KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia main-market listed Annum Bhd has launched its new smart farming business under its wholly-owned subsidiary Annum Industries Sdn Bhd (AISB).
This venture comes as part of the company's commitment towards promoting the adoption of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) in the agriculture sector and is in strategic collaboration with Serada Agrotech Sdn Bhd (SASB) and Terengganu State Agriculture Department, working alongside the state authorities in Terengganu.
The smart farming initiative was officially launched by Terengganu's Agriculture exco Dr. Azman Bin Ibrahim at Taman Kekal Pengeluaran Makanan (TKPM) Felda Selasih Kampung TokDor.
In a statement, Annum said the company is committed to integrating technology and innovation into smart farming activities which could optimize resources, reduce environmental impact and increase crop yields through digitalizing farming activities by using cutting-edge technologies.
"We also aim to drive advancement in the agriculture sector by leveraging the potential of IR 4.0 technologies," it said.
Annum aims to significantly expand the project, with plans to establish 200 greenhouses soon to be one of the key agricultural players in Malaysia.
The smart farming initiative will see AISB partnering with technology provider ARB IOT Group Ltd (AIGL) in Smart IoT solution to support advanced farming practices.
"Our collaboration with AIGL exemplifies our vision for the future of farming. Together, we aim to transform agriculture in Malaysia using Internet of Things (IoT) to support sustainable and efficient farming," the company added.
The smart farming initiative incorporates real-time monitoring of soil nutrients, pH, moisture, and environmental conditions, allowing for optimal crop growth and improved yields.
Automated processes such as watering and fertilization minimize labor requirements and reduce overuse of resources, enhancing operational efficiency.
Unusual chemicals and toxicity in the soil are detected, further ensuring crop health and safety.
Moreover, smart farming minimizes labor requirements, as most activities, such as watering and fertilization, are automated.
This increases operational efficiency and reduces overwatering and over-fertilization.
The system also can detect unusual chemicals and toxicity in the soil that could otherwise go unnoticed, further ensuring the health and safety of crops.
"The potential of smart farming is immense. With these systems in place, we can revolutionize the way we grow our food, creating a more sustainable and resilient agriculture sector for the future." the company said.
Looking at the bigger picture, Annum's smart farming initiative aligns with the growing trend in Malaysia's fruit and vegetable farming industry.
With the backing of the state authorities in Terengganu, Annum is optimistic that the integration of IR 4.0 technologies, like smart farming, will significantly contribute to the sustainable growth of the agriculture sector in Malaysia, enhancing productivity, efficiency and the overall quality of produce.