More Technologies Needed In Agricultural Sector To Address Food Security Issues

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8 (Bernama) -- The agricultural sector in Malaysia must leverage cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to address food security challenges in the country. 

Redza Imran Abdul Rahim, Business Development Director of REDtone, a digital infrastructure services provider in Malaysia, also called for government policies that would support farmers in quickly adopting emerging technologies like smart farming and smart irrigation systems.

“There is a wealth of data available from the government, and across the country, we have been collecting extensive agricultural data, such as soil basicity, crop yield, source usage (including fertiliser and water levels), and even information on farms in flood-prone areas.

“Almost every month, we hear of farms being damaged due to floods or lightning strikes. However, this data can help us identify high-risk areas and develop effective mitigation plans, which could include directing financial assistance or suggesting more suitable farming locations,” he said.

Redza said this following his panel discussion on ‘Harnessing Technology for Food Security: Advancing Solutions for Global Challenges’ at the International Regulatory Conference (IRC) 2025, organised by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) here today.

The session, moderated by MCMC’s Chief Technology and Innovation Officer Daniel Lee, also featured panellists including Managing Director of Agrocloud, Vishnu Nair, Senior Expert of ICT Marketing at Huawei Technologies, Li Xin, and A. Vijayaananth, Head of IT Infrastructure and Data Science at SD Guthrie Research.

Redza added that farmers must embrace technology to keep pace with the rapidly evolving agricultural landscape, especially in the post-COVID-19 era.

“There needs to be a shift in mindset and increased awareness among farmers. The pandemic has made it more difficult to recruit workers for farms.

“These challenges can be addressed with data and technology, which we already have at our disposal. The key is integrating these tools into a single platform to make adoption easier,” he said.

He also noted that there has been a positive change in the years following COVID-19, with younger generations taking over farms and using technology to expand their agricultural businesses.

Redza said this shift is crucial for improving national food security and reducing reliance on imported food, particularly given global issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war, which has led to a sharp rise in crop prices.

“Many farmers in Malaysia, especially older generations, used to say, ‘we’ve been doing this for years, we don’t need technology.’ However, there has been a noticeable shift since COVID-19. More and more farmers are now seeing the benefits of technology,” Redza shared.

“This shift is becoming evident as younger generations, who have studied abroad, take over the family farms. They are leveraging technology to expand their businesses, marking the beginning of this transformation,” he added.

RC 2025 gathers industry leaders, policymakers, and global experts from ASEAN, Australia, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and other countries.

Themed ‘Leaping into the Quantum Frontier: Regulation and Innovation in the Tech Era’, the conference explores the balance between technological advancement and responsible regulation in an increasingly connected world.

-- BERNAMA