FEATURE
INGENIEUR
FEATURE
INGENIEUR
SMART AGRICULTURE : Modernising the Agricultural Industry
By Professor Ts . Dr Siti Khairunniza Bejo Director , Institute of Plantation Studies , Universiti Putra Malaysia
Dr Mahirah Jahari , Dr Nur Azuan Husin Dept . of Biological and Agricultural Engineering , Faculty of Engineering , Universiti Putra Malaysia
Dr Mohd Hamim Abdul Aziz Dept . of Science and Technology , Faculty of Humanities , Management and Science , Universiti Putra Malaysia
Prof . Ir . Dr Hasfalina Che Man Head , Smart Farming Technology Research Centre , Faculty of Engineering , Universiti Putra Malaysia
Agriculture is one of the most significant components of the National Key Economic Areas ( NKEA ) because of its ability to boost economic growth by producing more jobs and improving farmers ' income . As the population of Malaysia is projected to increase to more than 45 million by 2050 , there will be an increase in food demand and consumption . Smart agriculture leverages modern technologies to enhance the efficiency , productivity , and sustainability of farming practices . By integrating various innovative technologies , smart agriculture aims to address the challenges of traditional farming , such as resource management , climate change , and food security to increase productivity while protecting the environment .
Enabling Technologies
The enabling technologies in modernising agriculture during this Industrial Revolution 4.0 ( IR4.0 ) era include Robotics , 3D printing , the
Internet of Things , Big Data , Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain .
Robotics Robotics is an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary field that combines advanced systems related to mechanical , electrical and electronic hardware and software . The use of robotics in the agriculture industry can vary from simple repetitive tasks to complex processes .
Three-dimensional ( 3D ) printing 3D printing technology uses digital data to create various types of solid and semi-solid products . The application of 3D printing has gained enormous interest in many agricultural sectors . It can be used to replace parts for equipment and the dayto-day tools and fixtures required by farmers .
Internet of Things ( IoT ) IoT is a system that connects devices through a network , allowing the exchange of data . It has the potential to create intelligent environments of
56 VOL 99 JULY - SEPTEMBER 2024