16 AGRICULTURE & FOOD SECURITY @ AGROBiz | November-December. 2025
16 AGRICULTURE & FOOD SECURITY @ AGROBiz | November-December. 2025
AI on farms
AI FOR PADI: BERNAS says technology adoption is key to lifting national rice SSL and strengthening Malaysia’ s food security agenda.
• BERNAS introduces an AI-driven chatbot to offer farmers realtime field guidance, supporting national efforts to raise rice SSL.
• The system uses field data and weather forecasts to improve fertiliser planning, pest management and daily crop operations.
• Malaysia and Brazil are exploring joint R & D between MARDI and Embrapa to advance agricultural technology.
THE padi sector is expected to benefit greatly from the extra allocations announced in Budget 2026, with industry players stating the funds will help speed up field upgrades and bolster support systems for farmers.
Padiberas Nasional Bhd( BERNAS) observed that the government’ s renewed effort to increase Malaysia’ s rice Self-Sufficiency
Level( SSL) has emphasised the importance of adopting technology, especially tools that assist farmers in planning fieldwork more precisely and responding more rapidly to changing weather conditions.
MODERNISING RICE FIELDS
One of its latest tools is the Rakan Tani Pintar AI chatbot, introduced as a digital agronomy companion accessible via WhatsApp. The platform provides real-time guidance on fertiliser schedules, pest and disease management, and essential field operations.
According to BERNAS’ s Head of Farm Management, Zakri Zulkafli, the chatbot was created to provide farmers with daily, practical insights based on real field conditions.
“ Farmers can ask questions in Malay, English, or any dialect using text or voice recordings and receive accurate, immediate answers,” he mentioned during a recent Zoom interview.
To activate the system, farmers submit basic field data— including plot size, location, variety and crop age. The AI then generates tailored recommendations, crossreferencing weather forecasts before proposing any activity.
For instance, if strong winds or heavy rain are forecast, the system will advise farmers to delay pesticide application. This helps conserve resources, protects the environment, and ensures that weed, disease, and pest control are more effectively carried out," he said.
The 10-week pilot phase, involving selected farmer groups, is now underway and will pave the way for a nationwide launch in early 2026. Zakri also emphasised that the technology functions as a support system rather than a replacement for field officers, with all guidance supported by BERNAS agronomists and technical teams.
Zaki explained:“ The Rakan Tani Pintar AI has undergone rigorous User Acceptance Testing. If any response is inaccurate or unsuitable for real field conditions, we will relay that feedback directly to the system developers for immediate improvement.”
The chatbot is also aligned with the SMART SBB programme, part of national efforts to reach 80 per cent SSL by 2030. Zakri added that the broader use of drones, satellite imaging and AI reflects a more modern farming landscape, one that could attract younger Malaysians to the sector.
He said the platform is developed with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security( MAFS), NAIO and The Hive GAIV, reaffirming BERNAS’ s commitment to strengthening Malaysia’ s food security agenda.
Malaysia eyes Brazil
MALAYSIA aims to broaden its agricultural trade in Brazil by enhancing market access for local products, including poultry, processed meat, liquid eggs, pet food, and animal vaccines.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security( MAFS) stated that the move aimed to deepen bilateral cooperation and enhance agricultural trade between the two nations.
“ Malaysia hopes Brazil can give positive consideration to the application to strengthen bilateral trade relations in the agricultural sector,” the ministry said in a statement.
During a meeting, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and Brazil’ s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Fávaro, also discussed potential collaboration to develop new crop varieties, including grain corn and coconuts, to boost productivity and efficiency.
The discussion took place during Fávaro’ s visit to Malaysia in conjunction with the 47th ASEAN Summit, marking what MAFS described as“ a new chapter in Malaysia-Brazil relations”, particularly in trade, investment, and agricultural expertise exchange.
“ The meeting opened up space for both sides to discuss potential cooperation in the agrifood sector and expand collaboration in agricultural technology, including joint research and development opportunities between the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute( MARDI) and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation
NEW MARKET ACCESS: Malaysia and Brazil are looking at a joint development of new crop varieties, including grain corn and coconuts, to raise productivity.
( Embrapa),” the statement added.
In 2023, bilateral agricultural trade between Malaysia and Brazil was valued at RM8.36 billion, with Malaysia exporting RM880 million worth of food and agricultural products.
Brazil continues to be one of Malaysia’ s principal partners in agricultural commodities, with significant imports such as sugar, meat, honey, and other food products.- @ AGROBiz