Future farming: Singapore-based agritech company forges urban agriculture project partnership in Malaysia

22 Aug 2023 --- Arhcisen and FarmByte are looking to boost urban farming through the creation of an automated vertical indoor farm devoted to cultivating Asian greens in Johor, Malaysia. The agritech and agrofood innovators published a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to solidify the joint effort.

FarmByte will contribute essential farming infrastructure and local insights, while Archisen will bring its technical proficiency to the table, advising on indoor farming practices and crucial technological requirements like automation systems and data analytics.

“Embracing a digital-first approach is pivotal to enhancing the way our agrofood sector operates so that Malaysia can become more self-sufficient in the production of high-quality, safe and nutritious food,” says FarmByte CEO, Syed Aiman Kifli Syed Jaafar. 

“Both Archisen and FarmByte are united by a shared vision of enhancing food resilience. Our mutual emphasis on innovation and technology to elevate farming efficiency and product quality is the cornerstone of this partnership,” affirms Vincent Wei, CEO of Archisen.

Surge in vertical farming
The companies note that there has been a surge in vertical farming practices across Singapore and Malaysia, which they say underscores the intensified focus on food security and self-reliance in the region. The practice was also recently adopted by the UK Space Agency to facilitate space exploration.The companies highlight vertical farming as a possible key to sustainable urban agriculture.

Singapore’s ambitious “30 by 30” initiative has accelerated the adoption of vertical farming, aiming to locally produce 30% of its nutritional needs by 2030.

Similarly, the Malaysian government is keen on enhancing local food production and self-sufficiency in essential food products such as fruits and vegetables. This has spurred numerous local companies, including Johor’s FarmByte, to explore indoor farming solutions.

“As we support farmers to optimize existing practices through the adoption of digital tools, we also recognize the need to innovate farming methodologies to strengthen the entire agrofood ecosystem,” says Jafaar

“Driven by a common purpose, we look forward to bringing the benefits of vertical farming to Johor and Malaysia, playing our part in ensuring everyone’s well being and sustenance,” Wei highlights.

“Digital-first farming”
FarmByte was established earlier this year as part of the JCorp Agrofood Strategic Plan, which was created to bolster Johor and Malaysia’s food security objectives. 

Utilizing a digital-first strategy, FarmByte says it seeks to modernize the agrofood sector by empowering farmers to produce high-quality and high-value crops, aligning with the evolving demands of the industry.

The formal MoU ceremony was overseen by Johor’s Menteri Besar – the state’s chief minister and head of government – Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and officially sealed by Jaafar and Wei.

Of the partnership with Singapore-based Archinsen, Jafaar further states that: “Their expertise in crafting state-of-the-art urban farming solutions, particularly in light of Singapore’s leadership in this field, aligns perfectly with FarmByte’s vision to transform Malaysia’s agrofood landscape and ensure a steady supply of food for everyone.”

Edited by William Bradford Nichols

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