FEATURE
May-June. 2025 | @ AGROBiz
FEATURE
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NEXT-GEN AGRICULTURE: A myLatih-led session introduced participants to smart farming, agri-tech tools, and sustainability, followed by a hands-on visit to a chili farm using digital systems.
led agricultural initiative under Perbadanan Kemajuan Pertanian Selangor( PKPS) that aims to promote agrotourism and modern farming practices.
Spanning hundreds of acres, SFV focuses on cultivating high-value crops like MD2 pineapples, bananas, guavas, and other tropical fruits. The estate serves both as a production site and a demonstration ground for new agricultural technologies.
Here, drone automation has been applied to enhance precision irrigation and smart pest detection, particularly in pineapple plots, where effective water management and early pest control are crucial to maintaining fruit quality.
Instead of relying on manual checks, SFV uses drones with multispectral imaging to scan the fields. The data collected helps field teams make informed decisions on where to irrigate or apply treatments, saving time and reducing chemical use.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, drones also played a critical role in maintaining operations when travel restrictions limited the availability of on-ground labour.
Navin noted:“ Drone technology proved instrumental in supporting business continuity with minimal workforce.
“ It highlighted its role in building resilience and sustaining agricultural operations during difficult times.”
FARMING WITH DATA
The real value of drones isn’ t just in flying overhead— it’ s in the data they collect and how that data is used.
When drones are combined with technologies such as artificial intelligence( AI), Big Data Analytics, and the Internet of Things( IoT), farms become more innovative and efficient.
These systems can monitor soil moisture, plant health, pest outbreaks, and even predict yields. This type of information enables farmers to make informed decisions rather than relying on guesswork or outdated methods.
The AgTech initiative has supported more than 20 such pilot projects, introducing technologybased solutions to farming communities. From AI-powered pest detection systems to smart fertigation, the initiative has opened the door to new ways of working the land.
To support learning, MDEC also runs the myLatih e-learning platform, which offers digital training for agropreneurs.
Thousands of farmers have utilised the platform to acquire hands-on skills in 4IR( Fourth Industrial Revolution) technologies, including how to use drones on their farms effectively.
YOUTH-LED ADOPTION
One of the most encouraging signs is that younger farmers are showing a strong interest in drone automation.
According to MDEC, as of the first quarter of 2024, over 500 farmers have adopted digital tools through the AgTech programme, with 57.3 per cent of them aged 40 and below.
This growth is supported by initiatives such as the Young Agropreneur Grant under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security( KPKM), as well as partnerships with agencies like Lembaga Pertubuhan Peladang
( LPP). These programmes not only provide funding but also guidance and exposure to new technologies.
However, uptake among older or small-scale farmers has been slower, mainly due to gaps in digital literacy and the perceived cost of adopting new tools.
To address this, MDEC, which serves as the National Strategic Technology Validator under KPKM, helps verify solutions and provides structured support to ensure no group is left out.
This effort aligns with national goals under the National Agrofood Policy 2021 – 2030( NAP 2.0) and the National Council of Digital Economy & 4IR( MED4IRN).
“ Our role is to ensure that these technologies are not just available but also accessible and practical for all levels of farmers,” said AgTech Head Navin Sinnathamby.
PRACTICAL GAINS
One of the biggest concerns associated with high-tech tools is affordability.
While drone units themselves can be costly, several programmes are helping to reduce the financial burden on farmers.
The Dana Program Pembiayaan Agroteknologi MADANI( DPPAM) provides RM200 million in financing at a 2 per cent interest rate, making it easier for smallholders to invest in agri-tech.
This is complemented by grant schemes and Drone-as-a-Service( DaaS) options, where farmers can pay for drone usage per job rather than purchasing the equipment themselves.
The results, however, from pilot projects have been promising.
MDEC noted that farms using drones for pest detection and fertigation have seen a 20 per cent increase in productivity, alongside a 30 per cent reduction in operational costs.
These gains come from better resource management- less fertiliser wasted, fewer person-hours spent, and healthier crops.
SMARTER, NOT HARDER
Over the next few years, drone technology is expected to become even more integrated into daily farm operations. As machine learning improves and costs decrease, drones will likely take on more tasks with reduced human input.
In the paddy sector, for example, drones could soon help farmers manage planting schedules, track crop maturity, and even forecast yields with greater accuracy. For large plantations, automated tree health scans and targeted fertilisation will replace manual checks.
However, beyond these advancements, the focus will remain on practical outcomes: making farming more manageable, profitable, and sustainable for Malaysians.
“ As drone automation continues to progress, its impact on Malaysia’ s food security, sustainability, and economy will be profound,” added Navin.
KEEPING IT GROUNDED
Technology alone does not make farming successful.
What makes the difference is how it’ s used- and who it helps. The aim of drone automation is not to replace people on the ground but to give them tools to work smarter.
From reducing repetitive tasks to helping detect problems early, drones support farmers in performing their jobs more effectively. When combined with proper training, financing, and accessible tech, drone farming can be scaled to fit both small plots and large estates.
Ultimately, what matters most is that the farmer— whether old or young, rural or urban— is supported in producing food for the country more efficiently and with fewer headaches.- @ AGROBiz
OLD HANDS, NEW ERA: As drone technology takes flight in Malaysian farms, seasoned farmers like this continue to play a vital role in keeping harvests strong.