Vanilla farm reaps sweet benefits from IoT tech

Strong and healthy: Tan and his partner Chan checking the growth of vanilla trees at their farm in Ara Kuda. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

BUTTERWORTH: A vanilla farm near here is using technology from the Internet of Things (IoT) network to grow this high-priced crop.

The farm automatically regulates the temperature for the plants by spraying a mist in the enclosure, ensuring that the plants enjoy an even temperature of between 28°C and 32°C.

“We blend traditional farming practices with the latest advancements in technology,” said Ezra Tan, founder of Kairos Farm.

Established in 2020, the farm in Ara Kuda on mainland Penang is Malaysia’s first and largest smart vanilla farm, spanning 2.5ha.

Tan, 37, said vanilla plants take three to five years to yield but with the help of technology, they bear fruit at about 30 months.

Central to their operation is a sophisticated farm management system, powered by IoT, enabling real-time monitoring and control of crucial environmental factors such as humidity, temperature and soil conditions.

“Our farm management system allows us to optimise growth conditions for our vanilla plants, ensuring optimal yields while minimising environmental impact,” he said.

Tan said Kairos Farm is also a destination for agricultural enthusiasts and vanilla connoisseurs alike.

He said visitors could sample a variety of vanilla-flavoured products at the on-site cafe, take agricultural tours to learn about the farm’s practices and purchase vanilla merchandise.