If I have the opportunity to visit the house of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, I would love to see the small greenhouse in his backyard.
Do you know what he is growing there? Lettuce, chillies, bananas and terung asam (local brinjals).
I guess our beloved Premier loves to eat these vegetables. That is why he is growing them with the help of modern technology.
He recently revealed his smart farm at home when officiating at the Metropolitan Food Cluster (MFC) in Opar, Lundu which was broadcast live on the UKAS Channel.
“When people ask how I stay active, my answer might just be the lettuce I grow myself. I don’t have to spend money buying it because I harvest it from a small greenhouse behind my house,” he said.Aban
g Johari went on to explain how modern tools had revolutionised gardening and farming practices, allowing him to monitor and manage crops through his smartphone from anywhere.”Th
e Premier went on to say, “Now, I can check on my crops remotely. If water levels are low, I can simply call someone at home to handle them. If I can do this, I’m confident the people of Opar can do it too.
“Even in hot weather, a single click can activate the watering system.”
At the function, the Premier went on to share with the attendees real-time footage of his small greenhouse on his smartphone.
He added, “I know when the vegetables and fruits are ripe and ready for harvesting just by checking my smartphone.”
Now, my friends, Abang Johari does not have to plant his lettuce, chillies, bananas and terung asam. He can assign someone to do it for him. He can afford to buy them from the market, too.
The fact he is experimenting with smart farming in his garden shows he is really serious about the subject which is very close to his heart.
Smart farming is the future of agriculture. It is not only just about growing food but doing it intelligently, with the help of data and technology to optimise every step of the process.
When Abang Johari talks about smart farming, he knows what he is talking about because he is already practising it, albeit on a small scale, at the back of his house.
Last month, the Premier, who has won many accolades for his visionary leadership, was conferred the Sustainability Steward of the Year Award at the “RAM Conference 2024: Advancing an Inclusive & Sustainable Future –Spotlight on Sarawak” at Sheraton Hotel in Kuching. The award was for promoting a sustainable future for Sarawak and his notable contributions to Malaysia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).Abang Johari has many big dreams and one of them is to pioneer smart farming in new townships in the state.
Soon, a pilot smart township project which will incorporate urban farming concept, will be implemented in Kuala Baram, Miri.
Under the project which will span 300 acres, 10 per cent of the land designated for smart farming will involve community participation.
A collaboration between Sarawak Land Custody and Development Authority and Simfoni Strategi Sdn Bhd, the project is inspired by successful models in Japan and Taiwan. It aims to integrate urban living with cutting-edge agricultural practices, thus setting a new standard in residential development.
Abang Johari explained that the project aimed to ensure food security by producing high-value fruits for both domestic and international markets.
Although smart farming is not new to Sarawak, it is currently undergoing a significant push under the leadership of Abang Johari with the state government actively promoting smart farming as part of its vision for a digital economy.
To encourage more Sarawakians to take up smart farming, adequate training and other forms of monetary assistance should be given to all those interested including the older folk.
They have to know how to use IoT technologies like sensors and automated irrigation systems to monitor their crops, apply fertilisers, control pests and diseases and regulate temperature in the greenhouses.
I’m glad that Abang Johari shared with us his experiment with smart farming at the back of his garden.
Smart farming, obviously, keeps him healthy and happy.
Yes, if I have the chance, I’d love to visit his greenhouse. It will be a worthy topic of conversation with my gardening friends for weeks.
