Shah Alam to have its first rooftop urban farming facility

Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS) has appointed Pitch@Selangor 2019 alumni Havva Agrotech Sdn Bhd to build the first rooftop urban farming facility in Shah Alam.

The hydroponic and urban farming startup is set to construction of the 3,000sq ft facility at Wisma PKPS immediately.

State industry and trade committee chairman Datuk Teng Chang Khim welcomed PKPS decision to venture into a new area of agriculture.

“This is indeed a step towards innovation, in line with Selangor’s ambition to become a smart state,” he said after witnessing the signing ceremony for the collaboration between PKPS and Havva.

PKPS chief executive officer Dr Mohamad Khairil Mohamad Razi said the corporation looked forward to witnessing the first rooftop urban farming facility in Shah Alam.

“This tie-up will showcase a new and modern urban farming method that will potentially increase productivity while maintaining a sustainable cultivation system.

“We are committed to growing a partnership ecosystem for technology collaboration such as this, as we believe this is the key to maximising value and enhancing economic vitality of smart farming projects, especially in Selangor,” he added.

Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Coporation (Sidec) chief executive officer Yong Kai Ping congratulated Havva, one of its startups under the Pitch@Selangor programme, for reaching such heights, adding that it had participated in Expo 2020 Dubai under the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti).

Meanwhile, Havva chief executive officer Philip Loo thanked Sidec for being the matchmaker in the joint venture between Havva and PKPS.

“This rooftop farm is the last piece of puzzle in our Urban Farming Blueprint.

“We are confident that the success of this project will benefit many agropreneurs in Malaysia soon,” he added.

Sidec recently concluded the Fourth Selangor Accelerator Programme (SAP) where the top five startups walked away with a collective cash prize of RM50,000.

They are eMLab, GFI Fintech, NexMind AI, Boss Boleh and Farmy.

Former SAP participants eventually take part in Pitch@Selangor events.

The latest edition will be on Nov 21 at Selangor Smart City and Digital Economy Convention (SDEC) 2021.

Ten startups selected from SAP 2018-2021 will be part of the startup showcase at the pitching session titled Pitch@Selangor 5: Super Selangor League.

The showcase is a platform for startups to enhance exposure for their products and services to the public and potential investors.