KUALA LANGAT: Young agropreneurs are encouraged to utilise the Internet of Things (IoT) technology as it can help to increase revenue.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry I Datuk Seri Ahmad Hamzah said the application of IoT could help them manage their crops online instead of going to the field every single day.
“Through the IoT system and applications being developed by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Kuala Langat Agropreneur Muda participants, surveillance of water supply, fertilisers and pesticide can be done online at the right time to prevent wastage.
“… by leveraging technology like this, farmers can save on labour costs, fertilisers and pesticides as well as increase agricultural output,” he told a press conference after the Young Agropreneur Tour programme here, today.
Earlier, he presented a grant of RM516, 000 to 31 participants of the first phase of the Selangor Young Agropreneur Programme this year.
Commenting on the programme, Ahmad said over the past four years, 762 young agropreneurs have been awarded agricultural entrepreneurs’ grants totalling RM13.5 million.
“The grant for the first phase of this year, a total of 238 participants will be eligible to receive the assistance amounting RM20,000 each involving an allocation of RM4.01 million,” he said.
Meanwhile, a participant of the programme involved in developing an e-farm system with MDEC, Norhashim Kamisan said the use of IoT technology could provide accurate readings on the water, fertilisers and pesticides needed for his chilli crop.
“Through the IoT system, field sensors will provide readings of soil temperature, environment as well as the readings of fertiliser and pesticide content via our mobile phone.
“These readings will help us to decide whether we need to increase or reduce the spraying of water, fertiliser and pesticides using mobile phones without having to go to the field,” he said.
He said the system under development was currently undergoing testing by 14 other young agropreneurs in Kuala Langat and preliminary findings showed that their crop yields had increased by 15 per cent while the use of fertilisers and pesticides were reduced. – Bernama
