Agri-tech success measured by farmers' well-being, not system sophistication – Mat Sabu

Technology in agriculture proves successful only when it raises crop outputs and raises farmers' incomes, according to Malaysia's Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. This focus was part of the discussions at the 11th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Food Security Ministerial Meeting in Hangzhou, China.

While artificial intelligence (AI) and other modern technologies are crucial, the true sign of their worth is whether they enhance farmers' yields and incomes, and maintain stable food supplies, Sabu asserted in a recent Facebook post.

The Malaysian government is committed to boosting the agriculture sector, one of the ways being through the Large-Scale Smart Padi Field (SMART SBB) programme. So far, the initiative has engaged 18,650 padi farmers across 92 locations, covering over 46,500 hectares. The programme's application of mechanisation, structured management, and technology has led to padi yields of six to seven tonnes per hectare.

Speaking about tilapia farming, Mohamad shared his experience with biofloc technology, which can yield around 450kg of fish in a six-metre-diameter tank. He emphasized the importance of understanding the challenges faced by farmers and breeders to identify the most beneficial technologies. Just as policymakers need to immerse themselves in the daily realities of their constituents, he added, farmers must experiment with different technologies to find those that truly aid their work.