MSD Innovation powering smart farming through Iot applications

By Anas Abu Hassan

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 21 (Bernama) -- MSD Innovation Sdn Bhd, a provider of Internet of things (IoT)-based agricultural technology solutions, is opening up opportunities for farmers to venture into smart farming through the use of homegrown technology.

The company has successfully pioneered agricultural IoT applications within two main scopes, namely smart urban farming and smart outdoor farming that incorporate smart fertigation systems. 

Chief executive officer Mohd Tawfik Abdul Rahman said since 2020, the company has developed six smart farms under the National Technology and Innovation Sandbox (NTIS) initiative in cooperation with the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC).

“Four of them are smart urban farms, and two are smart outdoor farms adopting locally developed end-to-end IoT solutions.

“We will also work together with the local authorities, several agencies, as well as local universities to develop systems for farms, and to date, all of these farms are still in operation,” he told Bernama.

Mohd Tawfik said that following the project’s success, the company will continue its collaboration with MTDC by working with the MTDC Technopreneur Training Academy (Tentra) to prepare an agri-product marketing strategy and a smart farming training manual for those keen to venture into smart farming.

“Our target is to provide opportunities for youths and the B40 group in urban areas and to identify ways to help them increase their income.

“Apart from that, we are working on turning abandoned buildings in urban areas into sites for smart farms, thus contributing to food security, which is one of today’s major issues,” he said.

Mohd Tawfik said MSD Innovation is also working with the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) to issue a licence specifically for carrying out smart urban farming in the city.

He said that over the next five to 10 years, the company plans to cooperate with more local authorities nationwide that allow for smart farming to be carried out in an orderly manner.

“We are also in the process of seeking Tenaga Nasional Bhd’s approval for a special electricity tariff that is more appropriate for indoor smart farming operators so they can lower their operating costs.

“There are three important issues moving forward: access for all parties, including the B40 group; the need for local authorities’ endorsement and recognition for setting up smart farms; as well as the approval for a suitable (electricity) tariff to lower the operating costs of smart farming,” he said.

Mohd Tawfik said MSD Innovation has successfully developed other IoT applications besides for smart farming purposes, comprising environment-related technologies -- early flood detection and air quality and pollution monitoring -- as well as a health monitoring app for people living in rural areas.

“At MSD Innovation, we are continuously focused on social enterprise that benefits the community by being flexible and easy to use,” he added.

-- BERNAMA