SYNOPSIS

Urban farming has been a bold agenda in a series of national policies in Malaysia’s plans to primarily address food security concerns. As a leading agricultural research organization in this country, MARDI has aggressively conducted research on urban farming in the 11th Malaysian Plan (2016 - 2020). The indoor farming system known as Plant Factory (PF) was also one of the concerned technologies to be focused. An innovated warehouse type of PF model measuring 30’ x 80’ x 20’ was developed in MARDI in 2018. The space utilized for plant cultivation (30’ x 60’ x 20’) was supported with a seven-storey Deep Flow Technique (DFT) multi-layer hydroponic and an automated fertilizer and irrigation system. In this medium scale PF, MARDI used the first Malaysian made LED lighting as growth lights through collaboration with a local company to produce high quality lighting for the PF at reasonable costs. This PF capacity contributed to an impressive crop production rate of between 75 and 100 kg per day. The IoTs application was developed as a tool to monitor performance, collect data and visualize parameters in the PF and provide information on temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide and airflow on the environmental aspects and pH, EC and water temperature for fertilizer solution from respective sensors. This IoT apps enables farmers to monitor crop cultivation remotely and thus minimizing physical field visits. It also enables to optimize energy usage of air-conditioning, analyse plant growth effects, and control light exposure, hence reducing operational costs.


NOTE:
• Transport : Self arranged. Participants are to assemble at 9.00 am sharp at the venue for registration
• The visit is strictly limited to 30 participants registered on a first-come, first-served basis.