ABOUT 38% of the hydroponic and fertigation projects in Kinta and Kampar districts have adopted smart farming technologies to improve productivity.
Perak agriculture committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun said these projects had adopted technologies in their bid to lower the cost of operation.
These, he said, included usage of Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, electrical conductivity and pH level detector and automatic nutrient dispersal system.
“Through the State Agriculture Development Corporation, the state would focus on developing Smart Indoor Farming in the Kinta Valley.
“One of the pioneer projects uses a fully climate-controlled indoor farming system, including vertical farming with light, temperature, humidity, nutrient and air quality control,” he said in reply to Wong Chai Yi (PH-Simpang Pulai) during the state assembly sitting at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan in Ipoh yesterday.
“Such an approach is suitable for urban areas, due to the limited space,” said Mohd Zolkafly.
He said the state was also exploring the usage of abandoned buildings in the city as a modern farming facility.
In the poulty industry, he said the switch to closed farming system was a step towards modernising the industry.
The transition period would end this year, with full enforcement to start Jan 1, 2027, he said.
“This system is the foundation for Smart Farming through control of temperature, humidity, ventilation and feeding, which can be done systematically.”
Separately, Mohd Zolkafly said the state has achieved 100% self-sufficient rate in 18 out of 30 main food commodities.
These included padi, coconut, sweet corn and durian, he said.
“Perak contributes about 98% of the country’s jicama production, 45% of sweet potato and 30% of sweet corn.
“The state is also the country’s second highest producer of padi since 2023 and are third in producing bananas and durian.
“These achievements showed that Perak has a good foundation, which can be empowered more, to be the country’s main food producer,” he added.
