KUALA LUMPUR: Kulim (Malaysia) Bhd, a subsidiary of Johor Corporation (JCorp), has unveiled an initiative that it claims is set to revolutionise Johor's agro-food industry.
Kulim, through its digital agriculture subsidiary FarmByte Sdn Bhd, launched on Sunday a digital-first approach and technology-driven agrofood ecosystem called FarmByte Food Hub.
The hub was established to enhance the resilience of the agro-food sector, increase agricultural output and improve farmers and community livelihoods, the company said.
"As part of JCorp's vision of which to strengthen food security at state and national levels, FarmByte Food Hub aims to transform Johor's agrofood sector through its digital-first approach," Kulim added.
Located in Ulu Tiram, the FarmByte Food Hub was officially launched by the chairman of the state's agriculture, agro-based industry and rural development committee Datuk Zahari Sarip who represented Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
FarmByte Food Hub integrates all of the activities within the value chain from production to distribution to increase efficiency, transparency and trust.
It is a fully networked ecosystem of farmers, processors, distributors, retailers and wholesalers who are connected via a hybrid setting of physical and digital hubs.
A new collection processing packaging centre and two new collection distribution centres will be built by FarmByte to meet the expected increase in production.
JCorp president and chief executive Datuk Syed Mohamed Syed Ibrahim said FarmByte Food Hub would elevate Johor's food supply chain and create a sustainable agrofood ecosystem that contributes to national and state food security agenda.
"The FarmByte Food Hub will allow for the sustainable production of high-quality and high-value agrofood products," said Syed Mohamed, who is also FarmByte chairman.
"Through digitalisation and innovation, it will also help uplift the livelihoods and standards of living of our smallholder farmers, while encouraging the participation of the younger generation in the agrofood sector," he said in a statement.
Syed Mohamed highlighted that one of the state's key strategic plans was to develop a sustainaagro-food industry that is internationally competitive in terms of production as well as product efficiency and quality.
He added that FarmByte incorporates innovative technology as an enabler to equip farmers with simple digital tools, market intelligence, and real-time production.
"Our mobile app, for instance, provides farmers with access to personalised advice and analytics and helps to expand their knowledge of expert farming practices," he added.
One of the farmers in the trial, Yusaini Ali - who owns 6.3 hectares in Felda Ulu Tebrau - pointed out that many smallholders faced difficulties in navigating the agro-food business.
"Until now, many smallholder farmers like me have relied on experience and the limited market knowledge we have as to what we produce for market and when it will be ready.
"Being part of the FarmByte Food Hub will give us certainty about what to plant and when demand will be highest so we can get the best price," Yusaini said.