Passion In Technology Tranforms Engineer Into Tech-Savvy Farmer

By Zarul Effendi Razali

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 (Bernama) -- Switching vocations from engineering to farming was not an easy decision, however, this was the choice made by Abdul Mu'iz Hanafiah, 30, about two years ago.

“I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Universiti Putra Malaysia, specialising in networking. After graduating, I worked as a systems engineer at a company in Cyberjaya,” he said.

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His unrelenting interest in exploring the Internet of Things (IoT) in agriculture and global issues, especially food security, led him to research staple crops with stable prices, such as bananas.

After some time, Abdul Mu’iz, a native of Mersing, Johor, decided to delve into banana farming, due to high domestic demand and the fruit’s relatively stable prices compared to other crops.

He was also motivated by the desire to “give back to the land” and take advantage of opportunities increasingly dominated by foreign workers.

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“We need to wake up and seize the opportunities right in front of us. While we remain complacent, foreign workers continue expanding their presence in agriculture, a field once dominated by locals. This, to me, is a form of modern colonisation.

“In the past, colonisation came through force; now, it’s through our own negligence and laziness,” he said.

Passion and the know-how

To ensure that he stays on track to achieve his goals, Abdul Mu’iz has been diligently acquiring agricultural and entrepreneurial knowledge by taking courses offered by registered associations and government departments.

In addition to basic courses on banana and pineapple cultivation, he participated in Yayasan Petronas’ Mekar – Strengthening Grassroots Economy programme to sharpen his entrepreneurial skills.

He noted the importance of such programmes, especially for those who wish to kick-start their business or even those who have been in business for a while.

“The programme by Yayasan Petronas provides proper guidance on how to start a business and fosters creativity and IT literacy among entrepreneurs. It taught us key accounting principles, how to apply for government grants, and how to secure loans from some banks.

“This programme not only provides entrepreneurial training but also offers mentorship and guidance over a certain period to ensure that the participants succeed in their ventures,” he said.

Additionally, by applying the lessons he learnt in preparing the necessary paperwork to strengthen his grant application, Abdul Mu’iz had managed to secure a RM20,000 grant to purchase a drone, further boosting his productivity.  

Embracing technological innovations in agriculture

Abdul Mu’iz’s interest in agricultural technology, particularly the use of drones, has transformed his farming operations.

“I noticed that drones were widely used in Kedah, especially for rice cultivation.

“Then I saw them being used for banana cultivation. Labour costs for fertilisation are high, and it is much cheaper to use drones, plus, I can manage the work myself,” he said, adding that the drones helped him reduce costs and manage his farm more efficiently.

He noted that the agriculture sector has seen rapid technological advancements, especially in mechanisation, which allows farmers to operate with fewer workers.

Challenges in becoming an agripreneur

Banana farming does come with its own challenges, including attacks from pests such as monkeys and elephants, as well as banana diseases.

“The high cost of agricultural inputs like fertilizers also adds to the difficulties. But where there’s a will there’s a way.

“To deal with attacks from pests like monkeys and elephants, I use guard dogs, install electric fences, and dig ditches to stop the elephants.

“Banana diseases can be managed with appropriate sprays, and the cost of inputs is offset by government grants, which help reduce the expense of fertilisers,” he said.

Reaping benefits

Thanks to his determination, hard work, and the knowledge he has gained, Abdul Mu’iz has quadrupled his monthly income to about RM4,700 from RM1,500 previously.

With an initial capital of RM40,000, his farm now grows several banana varieties, including Tanduk, Boyan, Nangka, Berangan, and Nipah, along with newly cultivated MD2 pineapples.

For now, Abdul Mu’iz has not considered exporting his produce, in view of the high domestic demand for bananas.

He also called upon young people to explore entrepreneurship, particularly in agriculture, which offers vast opportunities.

"Entrepreneurship is challenging, but there’s a wealth of knowledge out there. Always conduct market surveys to identify gaps in local products and strengthen your accounting skills to better manage business finances," he said.

Reflecting on his experience, Abdul Mu’iz emphasised that perseverance is key to success.

"You don’t need to listen to other people's negative opinions; all you need is encouragement from your family to stay motivated and keep pushing your business forward," he said.

-- BERNAMA