By Antonia Chiam

“To promote and modernise the agriculture sector, three components remain crucial: technology, infrastructure and market access. The Sarawak government aims to elevate the standard of our farmers to agripreneurs.” Abang Johari (July 12, 2024)

AGRICULTURE has long been a foundational element of Sarawak’s economy, with key commodities like oil palm, rubber, and pepper contributing significantly to its economic framework. Recently, the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, has adopted a bold and visionary strategy to rejuvenate and modernise this crucial sector. His innovative plan to digitalise agriculture in Sarawak represents a transformative leap forward, aiming to shift a traditional, labour-intensive industry into a high-tech, sustainable, and globally competitive arena.

Vision for Digital Agriculture

The central vision driving the digitalisation of Sarawak’s agriculture sector is to leverage digital technologies and data to enhance productivity, efficiency, and yield. By integrating advanced digital solutions into farming practices, the State aspires to unlock new potentials, stimulate innovation, and ensure that agriculture remains a strong contributor to its economic growth.

Abang Johari’s commitment to digital transformation aligns with his broader ambition of establishing Sarawak as a frontrunner in the digital economy, with agricultural advancements forming a vital part of this vision. By adopting technology and innovation, the Premier aims to boost productivity, expand market access, and improve the livelihoods of farmers while also promoting environmental sustainability.

Benefits of Agricultural Digitalisation

Sarawak stands ready to revolutionise its agricultural sector by incorporating advanced technologies and modern farming methods, all aimed at increasing productivity, ensuring food security, and fostering sustainable practices. The digitalisation effort in agriculture promises a myriad of benefits for the State’s farmers, entrepreneurs, and businesses, which include:

  • Higher Yield and Enhanced Productivity: By utilising smart farming technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and data analytics, farmers can monitor and optimise their practices in real-time, leading to increased crop yields and improved efficiency throughout the sector.
  • Access to International Markets: One of the major benefits of digitalising agriculture is improved market access. Through digital platforms, Sarawak’s agricultural products can reach global markets more effectively, linking local producers with international demand. This advantage extends to both large corporations and smallholder farmers, who have historically faced hurdles in marketing their goods.
  • Stronger Connections Between Producers and Exporters: Digitalisation enhances the relationship between local producers and exporters, ensuring a more dependable supply chain. With digital tools, stakeholders can share information seamlessly, which facilitates timely deliveries and better quality control, ultimately enhancing the reputation of Sarawak’s agricultural exports.

Embracing ICT in Farming

To realise these goals, the Sarawak government has laid out a comprehensive strategy that encompasses several key initiatives. These initiatives are designed to capitalise on the latest digital technologies while simultaneously enhancing infrastructure and market access for agricultural products.

A pivotal step in transforming Sarawak’s agricultural landscape is the widespread adoption of information and communications technology (ICT) and digital innovations. These advancements will boost productivity, enhance efficiency, and encourage innovation across the sector. By incorporating technologies such as IoT, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics, Sarawak’s agricultural practices will become increasingly precise, data-driven, and sustainable.

The government is committed to ensuring the success of these digitalisation initiatives by developing new markets for the State’s agricultural produce while also expanding existing ones. The adoption of e-commerce platforms, improvements in logistics, and enhancements in product traceability will enable Sarawak’s agricultural sector to connect with a more extensive consumer base, both locally and internationally.

Current Projects

Under the leadership of Abang Johari, the Sarawak government has launched several key projects focused on the digital transformation of the agricultural sector. These initiatives have already begun to yield positive outcomes, demonstrating that the goal of a technologically advanced, modern agricultural industry is achievable.

Thirteen projects have been initiated across various locations in Sarawak, featuring IoT-enabled smart farming projects, a GPS-based fleet management system, and IoT-driven fieldwork monitoring. These efforts have been implemented at significant sites such as the Rampangi Agricultural Complex (TKPM Rampangi), the Agriculture Research Centre (ARC) Semongok, the Agricultural Institute (IPS), the Northern Region Agriculture Research Centre (NRARC) Kabuloh, and the Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) Oya.

Among the flagship initiatives is the integration of smart farming methods at the TKPM Rampangi Greenhouses, where the application of IoT-enabled sensors and data-driven techniques has revolutionised farming operations. This complex includes 40 greenhouses managed by 14 farmers, each equipped with real-time data systems to optimise irrigation, fertilisation, and pest management. The outcomes have been remarkable, showcasing a 20 percent increase in productivity, improved crop yields, and significantly higher revenue for the farmers involved.

Furthermore, the Agriculture Institute (AI) and ARC Semengok have effectively employed IoT technologies to refine farming practices, incorporating precision agriculture techniques and fieldwork monitoring. These advancements have led to better crop management, reduced waste, and enhanced quality control. The introduction of drones has also emerged as a transformative factor for farmers in Sarawak. With support from the Sarawak government, various training programs have been launched to educate farmers on the use of drones for tasks such as crop monitoring, precision spraying, and yield mapping.

Innovative Techniques

Smart feeders and smart paddle wheels in shrimp farming have been successfully implemented by a private company at their shrimp farms at Luba Stoh, Santubong, Telaga Air, and Sambir since 2019, resulting in better quality and increased production by over 50 percent compared to traditional methods. This system is currently being piloted for 20 tilapia farmers at Batang Ai. Meanwhile, the Sarawak government is actively taking measures to enhance food security and bolster food supply exports from domestic agriculture by establishing agroparks and adopting modern farming technologies. The Agroparks will be segmented into plots for entrepreneurs to lease, providing them with land for development. While land titles will not be issued, leases will be available for 20 to 25 years, allowing entrepreneurs to apply for bank loans for capital.

The government has identified locations for agroparks in Sarikei, Bintulu, and Kota Samarahan. This initiative aims to provide farmers and agropreneurs with the necessary land to develop agricultural activities, following a substantial allocation of RM700 million for agricultural development and RM200 million for seed capital in 2020. The digitalisation of agriculture in Sarawak is anticipated to yield numerous benefits for the State’s farmers, entrepreneurs, and corporations.

A Promising Agricultural Future

As Sarawak continues to invest in digitalisation, the outlook for agriculture in the State appears increasingly optimistic. The growth potential in areas such as precision farming, e-commerce, and agritech innovations is vast.

By embracing digital technologies, Sarawak is not only enhancing the livelihoods of its farmers but also gearing up for a more sustainable and prosperous future in agriculture.

The content featured here is an excerpt from the book “Rise of Sarawak: Abang Johari’s Era of Transformation”, published by Sage Salute Sdn Bhd.

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