BY ADELINE ANTHONY ALPHONSO

The inauguration was presided over by the Organising Chairman of Smart Farming 2024 , Datuk Syed Munshe Afdzaruddin ( also Advisory Board Chairman of ABS Greentech ).

It set the stage for the upcoming 2nd Asia Smart Farming and Food Security Conference and Exhibition , slated for October 25-27 , 2024 , also at PICC .

ABS Greentech , a locally incorporated company specialising in developing and implementing cutting-edge technologies for innovative and sustainable solutions in smart agriculture , renewable energy , and environmental conservation- Collaborates with global technology market leaders such as Priva Horticulture , Koppert Biological Systems , Rijk Zwaan , and Power Plants .

They also provide diverse services , including smart farming solutions ( from seed to market ), solar energy solutions , and waste-to-wealth management systems .

ASF 2024 Soft Launch .

INVESTING IN THE AGRICULTURAL FUTURE

In his welcoming address , Syed underscored the significance of transforming the agricultural sector into modern , high-tech activities .

“ This vision resonates with the National Agro-Food Policy 2021-2030 ( NAP 2.0 ) introduced by the Government of Malaysia , envisioning a sustainable , resilient , and high-technology agro-food sector to drive economic growth and enhance well-being while prioritising food and nutrition security .”

Encouraging active participation , Syed also urged industry players , technology providers , and relevant stakeholders to join ASF 2024 as exhibitors or seminar participants .

He said : “ I envision ASF 2024 as not just an event but a platform for meaningful

exchanges , showcasing cutting-edge technologies and fostering collaborations that promise abundant harvests and safer food production practices .”

EMPOWERING FARMERS FOR TOMORROW

Distinguished attendees at the event included members of the diplomatic corps , technocrats , agropreneurs , agricultural marketers , industry players , technologists , and enterprising young farmers , as the spotlight of the gathering was on promoting smart , pesticide-free farming practices that hold promise for revolutionising agricultural methods , leading to increased yields , sustainability , and safer consumption .

BREAKING GROUND

Reflecting on past achievements , attendees reminisced about the inaugural Smart Farming event in 2023 , at which ABS Greentech forged 11 significant partnerships with international industry players .

These collaborations promised to finance projects aimed at nurturing the smart agriculture sector . The Chief Executive Officer of ABS Greentech , R M Ravichandar , then announced a substantial funding commitment of RM550 million earmarked for advancing smart farming techniques and bolstering food

Some of the attendees at the soft launch .

security within Malaysia .

Looking ahead , anticipation buzzed in the air regarding the upcoming ASF 2024 event as ABS Greentech ’ s aspirations soared as they aimed to sign more Memorandum of Understanding ( MoUs ) with international industry players , fuel-

Datuk Syed Munshe Afdzaruddin

ling the development of new agricultural projects that resonate with their vision for a sustainable future .

“ ASF 2024 promises to be a symphony of innovation and collaboration , showcasing advancements in smart farming techniques like Integrated Pest Management , championing pesticide-free practices .

“ The event ’ s stage is to host a convergence of technologists , industry titans , technocrats , and financial experts , fostering an ecosystem ripe for transformative dialogue and partnerships .”

Ravichandar added : “ One of the event ’ s pivotal objectives is to facilitate comparative analysis of Malaysia ’ s agricultural technologies vis-à-vis those of neighbouring countries . This benchmarking exercise , steeped in Environmental , Social , and Governance ( ESG ) principles , is poised to elevate discussions surrounding food security and sustainability .”

Reflecting on the soft launch , the message is clear — ABS Greentech ’ s journey towards agricultural excellence is not just a corporate endeavour but a testament to the collective commitment to a resilient and prosperous future . Stay tuned as ASF 2024 unfolds , ushering in an era of innovation and sustainability in agriculture . – @ AGROBiz