Recent visit by the Sarawak delegation to Aeon Agri Create Co. Ltd., a leading company in smart greenhouse technology in Japan.
KUCHING: Sarawak is now exploring new opportunities in the transformation of the agricultural sector through a working visit to Aeon Agri Create Co. Ltd., a leading company in smart greenhouse technology in Japan, recently.
The visit by the Sarawak Government delegation led by the Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom to the town of Kuki, Saitama is to make the sector a high-value industry by 2030.
“It also focuses on high-tech and environmentally friendly greenhouse agricultural innovations developed by Aeon Group and opens up space for strategic cooperation in the fields of agrotechnology and biomass between Sarawak and Japan,” he said.
According to Rundi, Japan's smart agriculture model proves that technological advancements and sustainable practices can be combined to strengthen global food security.
Aeon Agri Create shows that agriculture can be carried out efficiently and responsibly. It has become an inspiration for Sarawak in its efforts to build a modern agro-industrial ecosystem by 2030.
At the 3.3-hectare Saitama Kuki Farm agricultural facility, tomato crops are grown using the probioponic system - an organic hydroponic method based on biomass nutrients that replaces the use of chemical fertilizers.
The technology was developed with Asahi Kasei Corporation through the Nature Ponics platform that automatically generates nutrient solutions from food waste while using a wood pellet-based heating system to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
The combination of automation, energy efficiency and precision agriculture has enabled the farm to achieve a production of around 990 tonnes of tomatoes per year - far exceeding the yield of conventional farms.
The facility has also obtained GLOBALG.A.P and GRASP certification in recognition of its commitment to food safety, worker welfare and sustainable environmental management.
Rundi also announced that the Sarawak Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-FICORD) will explore potential collaborations with Japanese institutions and companies to adapt biomass technology, smart greenhouse systems and organic fertilizers to suit the tropical climate in Sarawak.
