SELANGOR is leading in modern agriculture with 9,200 farmers cultivating vegetables, fruits and padi using smart farming methods last year.
State infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim said the government encouraged and provided technical assistance for crop projects based on the plant factory concept.
“This concept involves indoor farming within buildings, fully controlled online using Internet of Things (IoT) systems.
"Indoor farming with online control is capable of producing higher yields within a shorter period.
“There are 11 companies currently implementing plant factory farming in collaboration with the state Agriculture Department," he said, adding that one such company is De Lettuce Bear Sdn Bhd located in Klang and Kalumpang, Hulu Selangor.
"Kuala Langat Farmers’ Organisation (PPK) is managing about 260,000 polybags of chilli plants, of which 16,000 utilised a fully IoT-based system,” he said during the state assembly sitting at Bangunan Dewan Negeri Selangor, Shah Alam today (April21).
Izham was replying to Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (PN–Hulu Kelang) who asked if the Selangor government was prepared to take proactive measures to limit land-use conversion and optimise the development of agricultural land using smart farming concepts to ensure food security amid ongoing global uncertainties.
Izham added that food security was an important agenda for the state government in ensuring sufficient food supply for everyone.
To maintain the sustainability of agricultural zones, stricter control over agricultural land use is enforced through the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172) as well as local plans by local authorities, he added.
“This measure aims to prevent the arbitrary conversion of agricultural land into other development sectors such as housing and industry.”
At the same time, Izham said the state government strongly encouraged optimal use of existing land, particularly in urban and residential areas, to be developed into community farming spaces.
“There are 231 active community gardens in Selangor, some of which have adopted modern agricultural methods such as Rain Shelter Systems (SPH) equipped with IoT systems for fertiliser and water control, especially for melon and chilli cultivation.
"This method produces higher yields while using less land compared to conventional farming,” he said.
Izham added that the Selangor government remained proactive in balancing physical development with the need for food security.
Through the integration of high technology and careful land-use planning, he said Selangor was optimistic about ensuring sufficient and sustainable food supply for everyone.
