SERDANG: The adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) in the country's agro-food sector needs to be strengthened to address the current challenges faced by the agricultural industry, including the shortage of manpower and the rise in fertiliser and pesticide prices.
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries Agriculture Modernisation Division secretary, Roshidi Mat Moor said the use of IoT can create precision agriculture thus increasing productivity and farming output.
"...we can't forever be dependent on foreign labour because if the workers' country of origin does not allow them to work here, what will happen? Agricultural activities still need to continue, so IoT technologies are needed because they can replace human labour.
"IoT will also help create precise agriculture that will result in the increase in agricultural production with the use of fewer fertilisers and pesticides," he told Bernama when met at the Agro Technology cluster at the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (Maha) 2022, here today.
Elaborating, Roshidi said the adoption of IoT in the agro-food sector which is in line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) is related to data and smart agriculture.
"In terms data, previously we used a tool to measure soil moisture, but through IoT, we can directly send the data to smartphones before being used as a big data to be studied to help increase crop productivity and production.
"Apart from that, the use of drones in the agricultural sector can detect plant diseases early, thus allowing appropriate action (to stop infections) to be taken," he said.
Roshidi said blockchain technology would also be used in the agro-food sector to monitor or trace the agricultural product supply chain at every level just like how customers track their online orders.
Admitting that the use of IoT among farmers is still low, Roshidi said agricultural entrepreneurs and the government need to play a role in increasing the IoT usage.
"IoT is still new...maybe the government needs to intensify its promotional efforts through various platforms such as MAHA.
"In addition, Agrobank has introduced the Agrofood Value Chain Modernisation programme, a financing facility for farmers who want procure equipment and technology based on IR 4.0," he said.
The Agro Technology segment at MAHA 2022 showcases the use of the latest equipment and technology in agriculture, including drones for fertiliser application, pesticide spraying, as well as field mapping and monitoring.
It also showcases various sustainable farming methods such as hydroponic, aquaculture, vertical farming, vermiponics and aeroponic gardening for an efficient integrated agricultural ecosystem.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Fri Aug 12 2022
Roshidi Mat Moor said the use of IoT can create precision agriculture thus increasing productivity and farming output. - APEC/Filepic
Isu surat layang: Mangsa ugutan, gangguan seksual diminta lapor polis
Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri (JKN) Perak meminta mangsa yang mendakwa menerima ugutan serta gangguan seksual yang dikaitkan dengan isu surat layang tular membabitkan kakitangan perubatan Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB) supaya membuat laporan polis.
Bekalan Darah: Kadar penderma darah dalam negara masih rendah
Menurut Timbalan Pengarah I, Pusat Darah Negara, Kementerian Kesihatan (KKM), Dr Tun Maizura Mohd Fathullah, kadar tersebut perlu ditingkatkan bagi memastikan bekalan darah mencukupi terutamanya pada waktu-waktu terdesak.
KBS umum syarat pelepasan cukai latihan sukan
Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) mengumumkan syarat-syarat pelepasan cukai bagi latihan sukan pada Jumaat.
Kastam tumpaskan sindiket penyeludupan, temukan dadah bawah pokok
Jabatan Kastam Diraja Malaysia Pulau Pinang menumpaskan cubaan penyeludupan dadah apabila merampas dadah jenis methaphetamine seberat 30 kilogram bernilai hampir RM1 juta.
Pengawal keselamatan didakwa bunuh anak kandung berusia enam bulan
Seorang bapa yang tergamak mendera anak kandungnya yang berusia enam bulan sehingga mengakibatkan mangsa mati didakwa di Mahkamah Bandar Baru Bangi, pada Jumaat kerana kesalahan membunuh.
Perang Iran-Israel, kesan kepada geopolitik Asia Barat
Penyelidik Kanan IRIS Institute, Asyraf Farique memberikan analisis semasa mengenai perang Iran dan Israel serta kesannya kepada geopolitik di Asia Barat.
Batik Air gantung operasi ke Istanbul bermula 1 Mei
Syarikat penerbangan itu berkata keputusan itu dibuat sebagai respons terhadap situasi di Timur Tengah yang memberi kesan kepada laluan penerbangan Batik Air.
Perang Iran-Israel, kesan kepada geopolitik Asia Barat
Dekan Institut Pengajian Siswazah Universiti Islam Melaka, Prof Dr Kamaruzaman Yusoff memberikan analisis semasa mengenai perang Iran dan Israel serta kesannya kepada geopolitik di Asia Barat.
'OIC, UNSC dah tak berguna!' - Pakar tidak tolak kemungkinan Israel serang negara sekutu Iran
Salawati berpandangan tidak mustahil untuk Israel menyerang negara berjiran Iran dengan tanggapan mereka sekutu yang bersekongkol dengan negara itu.
Kampit beras dibuang: SWCorp tutup sementara tapak pelupusan sampah
Penutupan itu dilakukan bagi membolehkan pihaknya melakukan siasatan terhadap pihak terlibat termasuk penyedia tapak pelupusan dan pihak yang membuang sampah di lokasi tersebut.
Masih banyak PKS Malaysia kurang kesedaran digital
Selain tunjang ekonomi negara, PKS perlu menjadi pemain utama dalam ekonomi digital Malaysia.
Tongkat pintar umpama 'Waze' untuk orang buta
Halangan atas paras lutut kini tidak menjadi masalah bagi orang kurang upaya penglihatan dengan penggunaan tongkat pintar yang dikenali sebagai 'Bawa Cane'.