KUALA LUMPUR: Techna-X Bhd's wholly-owned subsidiary, Wavetree Technologies Sdn Bhd (WTSB), has signed a five-year partnership agreement with Sabah-based Borneo Eco Star Sdn Bhd (BES) to jointly develop and commercialise a smart integrated aquaculture platform (SIAP) for sustainable aquafarming in Malaysia.
In a statement today, Techna-X said WTSB will be deploying an aquaculture Internet of Things (IoT) solution worth an estimated RM2.6 million for BES's planned 102 ponds at UiTM-BES Innovation and Smart Aquaculture Centre.
SIAP will utilise the latest technologies in IoT and artificial intelligence (AI) combined with aquaculture expertise and operational knowhow to create an advanced IoT-based platform accessible to all scale of operations.
Techna-X head of technology division and WTSB chief executive officer Vince Ng said WTSB has been successful in supporting the digitalisation of the palm oil industry in Malaysia, Indonesia and South America with its IoT technology solutions.
"We believe our technology and experience will contribute greatly to BES and UiTM's Innovative and Smart Aquaculture Centre in Kota Kinabalu.
"The resultant IoT platform will also benefit both small and large scale aquaculture businesses alike while playing a significant role in the nation's drive towards food security and resiliency against climate change," he said.
Techna-X said the industry in Malaysia stands to benefit greatly from digitalisation and automation, with over 400,000 tonnes of aquaculture production worth RM3 billion.
The IoT-enabled smart farming solutions become more accessible, this market is estimated to be worth RM147 million in Malaysia in 2021 and will be expected to grow to RM313 million by 2026.
BES chief executive officer Shim Yen Lin said the platform is poised to spur the adoption of technology-enabled prawn and fish farming in Malaysia and the region, enabling farming operations to benefit from a science-based and data-driven approach to maximise efficiency, reduce costs and maximise yield.
"We believe SIAP will revolutionise the aquafarming industry and further promote sustainable farming practices," she added.