The company blends science, digital tools, and education to drive environmentally responsible farming.

A mobile app offers farmers real-time support, product verification, and expert advice in multiple languages.

The low-carbon fertilisers support growers in meeting environmental and ESG reporting standards.

BY ADELINE ANTHONY ALPHONSO

Companies like Behn Meyer AgriCare( M) Sdn Bhd( Behn Meyer AgriCare) are responding to this reality by reimagining fertiliser from the ground up- starting not with the crop but with the soil.

Behn Meyer AgriCare, part of the longstanding German-founded Behn Meyer Group, is driving a quiet but impactful transformation in Malaysian agriculture. At the root of its work is a commitment to sustainability that seeks to reduce farming’ s ecological footprint without compromising food security.

“ We’ ve always understood that nutrient delivery is only part of the equation,” said Behn Meyer AgriCare Managing Director and Chairman Teo Tee Seng.

“ What matters just as much is how those nutrients interact with the environment.”

CLEANER WATERWAYS

A major concern in modern agriculture is nutrient runoff- when excess fertiliser leaches into rivers and groundwater, leading to pollution and algae blooms. Behn Meyer AgriCare’ s answer is additive technology that improves nutrient uptake by crops, so more fertiliser goes to work and less ends up in the environment.

Teo explained:“ Anything not

Teo Tee Seng

taken up by the plant is wasted- either evaporated or leached.

“ Our additives help retain nutrients in the root zone, allowing the plant to absorb more and reducing the risk of pollution.”

The company also offers a line of low-carbon fertilisers, including an ammonium sulphate with just 0.15 kg CO₂ equivalent per unit- far below the industry average of over 3 kg CO₂e.

This gives plantation operators a concrete way to lower their greenhouse gas emissions and meet growing environmental, social, and governance( ESG) standards.

DIGITAL TOOLS FOR SMARTER FARMING

Technology also plays a central role in Behn Meyer AgriCare’ s environmental strategy.

The BM AgriCare app offers remote agronomic support to farmers, allowing them to verify product authenticity, report crop issues, and receive expert advice- all through a few taps on their smartphones.

This digital approach extends

SMARTER SOLUTIONS: A look into the Behn Meyer AgriCare app

to satellite imagery and AI-based analysis. By scanning fields for early signs of nutrient deficiency or pest stress, Behn Meyer Agri- Care’ s system helps farmers intervene precisely where needed.

That means fewer chemical applications, less waste, and healthier ecosystems.

“ Precision reduces pressure on the environment. We’ re helping farmers use just enough- not too much,” said Teo.

SOIL AS THE FOUNDATION

In a tropical country like Malaysia, where land is cultivated yearround, soil degradation is an escalating problem. Without recovery periods, organic matter is depleted and biodiversity

declines- undermining the very base of agricultural sustainability.

To tackle this, Behn Meyer AgriCare has launched soil health products with workshops and field trials that emphasise sustainable practices like compost use, crop rotation, and cover cropping. Farmers are trained to assess soil health, not just crop yield.

Teo explained:“ You need good soil to grow good food. Technology can only go so far- without living, fertile soil, nothing else works.”

A SYSTEMIC SHIFT

What sets Behn Meyer AgriCare apart is its systems-thinking approach. By integrating innovative fertiliser formulations, low-carbon production, AI-powered decision-making, and on-theground education, the company is building a more regenerative model for agriculture.

In doing so, they are not just supporting farmers- they’ re helping protect biodiversity, reduce climate impacts, and restore ecological balance.

As climate pressures intensify, the need for environmentally aligned agriculture has never been more urgent. Behn Meyer AgriCare’ s work underscores a growing understanding that sustainable farming must start below the surface- with the soil, the systems, and the shared environment we all depend on.

In doing so, Teo stated that:“ Sustainability isn’ t just an ideal- it’ s a workable, measurable part of modern farming."- @ green