FEATURE
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FEATURE
@ AGROBiz | May-June. 2026
Beyond the estate
• SJKT Ladang Katoyang recently launched a dedicated drone learning facility to strengthen STEM education among students.
• The initiative reflects growing efforts to prepare young Malaysian Indians for industries increasingly driven by technology and innovation.
• As agriculture becomes increasingly technology-driven, Tamil schools are helping prepare a new generation of STEM-minded students for the opportunities ahead.
INNOVATION TAKES ROOT:
Officiated by Chang Lih Kang, the new drone learning facility at SJKT Ladang
Katoyang showcases how Tamil schools are embracing innovation and nurturing future STEM talent.
BY ADELINE ANTHONY ALPHONSO
THE image of agriculture ' s future is often associated with drones flying over plantations, artificial intelligence analysing crop health, and data-driven technologies transforming farm operations.
Yet the foundations of that future may be taking shape in places that are frequently overlooked – including Tamil schools serving estate communities.
Recent developments at SJKT Ladang Katoyang in Tanjong Malim offer a glimpse into this evolving narrative. Earlier this month, the school unveiled a dedicated drone-learning facility, an initiative praised by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Chang Lih Kang as a model for cultivating interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics( STEM) among young learners.
DEFYING EXPECTATIONS: Aeshwarya Sivakumar ' s success highlights the growing STEM achievements of Tamil school students.
SMALL SCHOOLS, BIG IDEAS
While the launch of the drone room attracted attention for its innovative approach to education, it also highlighted a broader reality: Tamil schools across the country are increasingly producing students who excel in STEM and are embracing opportunities in emerging technologies.
Speaking at the launch, Chang noted that drone technology offers an engaging gateway to a range of STEM disciplines, including coding, artificial intelligence, engineering and data analysis.
More importantly, it enables students to see how technology is applied across realworld sectors, including smart agriculture, disaster management, search and rescue operations, and transport.
His remarks come at a time when Malaysia ' s agricultural sector is undergoing a significant technological transformation. Drones are increasingly common in plantation and farming operations, where they are used for crop monitoring, aerial mapping,