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precision spraying and data collection.
As labour shortages and productivity challenges continue to affect the industry, digital tools are expected to play an increasingly important role in helping producers operate more efficiently.
However, the success of Agriculture 4.0 will depend not only on technology adoption but also on the availability of talent capable of operating, managing and innovating with these systems.
This is where schools such as SJKT Ladang Katoyang may play a role.
Often located within or near plantation communities, Tamil schools have historically served generations of families linked to Malaysia ' s agricultural sector. Today, many are moving beyond their traditional image, introducing students to technologies and opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.
The success of Tamil school students in STEM competitions provides further evidence of this growing potential.
RISING ABOVE EXPECTATIONS
At some point last year, Aeshwarya Sivakumar, a Year Six student from SJKT Ladang Highlands in Klang, emerged as the champion in
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the Pembentangan Fizikal( Sekolah Rendah) category at the SciFusion Festival dan Inovasi STEM Kebangsaan, organised by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Competing against about 200 participants from schools nationwide, she impressed the judges with her innovation, the Ricinus Healing Stick, and secured the top prize.
Inspired by her experiences as an avid sports enthusiast, Aeshwarya developed the Ricinus Healing Stick as a more convenient alternative to traditional castor oil treatments.
Using castor oil for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, she refined the product through multiple rounds of experimentation, ultimately achieving a practical, easy-to-use formulation that later earned national recognition.
The achievement was not an isolated success. Aeshwarya has won multiple gold awards in science innovation competitions and digital application development challenges, while also excelling in public speaking and storytelling competitions.
Her accomplishments reflect a growing trend among Tamil school students making their mark in areas traditionally associated with science, technology and innovation.
Taken together, the success of students
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CULTIVATING POTENTIAL: Early exposure to drone technology can help students develop an interest in science, engineering, and digital innovation while providing insights into realworld applications, such as smart farming. |
such as Aeshwarya and initiatives such as the drone room at SJKT Ladang Katoyang challenge long-held perceptions of estate schools and the opportunities available to their students.
More importantly, they demonstrate how early exposure to technology can help cultivate the skills and curiosity needed for future industries.
In agriculture, the implications are significant. The drones used in classrooms today are introducing students to concepts that increasingly underpin modern farming practices.
Precision agriculture relies on many of the same principles that students encounter through drone-based learning, including data collection, digital mapping, automation and problem-solving.
As Malaysia seeks to strengthen food security, improve productivity and accelerate the adoption of smart farming technologies, building a pipeline of skilled talent will be as important as investing in new equipment.
The next generation of agri-tech professionals, drone operators, engineers and innovators may not emerge solely from universities or urban technology hubs. They may also come from classrooms in estate communities, where students are exposed to the technologies reshaping the industries around them.
The drone room at SJKT Ladang Katoyang, therefore, is more than a new educational facility. It serves as a reminder that innovation can take root anywhere and that the future of Malaysia ' s agricultural transformation may begin by inspiring young minds long before they enter the workforce.- @ AGROBiz
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