Dr Rundi (third right), Martin (third left) and the Sarawak delegation show the tomatoes produced at the farm.
KUCHING (Oct 29): Sarawak is keen on exploring Japan’s advanced smart farming technologies that integrate innovation, efficiency and environmental responsibility to strengthen its sustainable agriculture transformation agenda.
Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom recently led a work visit to Aeon Agri Create Co. Ltd in Kuki City, Saitama Prefecture to study Japan’s high-tech and eco-friendly greenhouse farming models.
In a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report, Dr Rundi said Japan’s approach demonstrated how technology and sustainability could move hand in hand to enhance global food security.
“Aeon Agri Create shows that agriculture can be both efficient and responsible. It serves as an inspiring example for Sarawak as we work towards developing a modern agro-industrial ecosystem by 2030,” he said after the visit.
The visit formed part of Sarawak’s study mission to explore next-generation agricultural models that integrate digitalisation, energy efficiency and sustainable practices in line with the state’s 2030 goal of developing a modern agro-industry.
Dr Rundi added that the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development would explore potential collaborations with Japanese institutions and companies to adapt bio-based innovations, smart greenhouse systems and organic fertilisers suitable for Sarawak’s tropical climate.
“Agriculture today is no longer about tradition alone, but about data, science and innovation. What we saw in Saitama is a real demonstration of how food security and sustainability can progress together,” he said.
Also joining the visit were his deputy Datuk Martin Ben and Sarawak Department of Agriculture director Dominic Chunggat.
Aeon Agri Create, established in 2009 under retail giant Aeon Co. Ltd., operates more than 20 farms across Japan, supplying fresh produce directly to Aeon supermarkets nationwide.
At the Saitama Kuki Farm, a 3.3-hectare facility operated by the Aeon Group, tomatoes are cultivated using a ‘Probioponic’ system, an organic hydroponic method that replaces chemical fertilisers with bio-based nutrients.
By combining automation, energy recovery and precision agriculture, the farm achieves high productivity, targeting an annual tomato output of around 990 tonnes — significantly higher than that of conventional farms.
