2023 LWL Tokyo: LoRaWAN(R) for Durian Farming in Malaysia

Summary

The speaker from Malaysia discusses challenges in durian farming during the pandemic and how technology is applied to create data-driven farms. They mention collaborations with AWS and Alibaba Cloud to optimize operations using ML algorithms for forecasting. The goal is to improve farm management, reduce labor intensity, and address disease issues. They also highlight the importance of problem statements and the need for affordable, scalable solutions to benefit farmers economically.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The speaker is from Malaysia and has transitioned from electronics to business, focusing on technology in agriculture during the pandemic.
• 🌱 The company, Sustainable Harvest, established in 2020, works with large plantations and uses cloud technologies like AWS and Alibaba Cloud to optimize operations with data and machine learning.
• 📈 Data is crucial for the company, enabling them to forecast and make data-driven decisions for farm management, moving beyond reliance on experience alone.
• 🍌 Durian farming is highlighted as a focus area due to its health benefits and high demand, especially in China.
• 🚜 The company faces challenges in growing Musang King (a type of durian), which requires careful moisture management from flowering to harvesting.
• 📊 They gather data throughout the entire crop cycle to establish benchmarks for future comparisons and improvements.
• 💧 Labor-intensive processes and disease management are addressed by applying technology to high-value crops, aiming to make farming more efficient.
• 🌱 The company creates IoT networks in farms for easy deployment in rural areas, enabling coverage over several kilometers.
• 🌦️ They use AI and machine learning for forecasting, such as predicting rain and its impact on moisture levels to optimize irrigation.
• 🌍 The future goal is to gather information on different crops to guide even those without a farming background on how to plant durians based on their location and conditions.
• 🔗 The company collaborates with various stakeholders, including universities and tech companies, to enhance smart farming practices and receive feedback for improvement.

Q & A

What is the speaker's background?

The speaker is from Malaysia and has an electronics engineering background. They are currently more involved in the business side.

What is the focus of the speaker's company?

The speaker's company focuses on sustainable harvest and works with large plantations, deploying technology to optimize operations based on data.

What are the technologies the company is working with?

The company collaborates with AWS and Alibaba Cloud, using data to deploy machine learning algorithms for forecasting and optimization.

What is the significance of durian farming for the speaker's company?

Durian farming is significant because it is beneficial for health and has a high demand worldwide. The company aims to export durians, especially to China.

What are the challenges faced in durian farming?

Challenges include the need for precise moisture control from flowering to pollination to harvesting, labor intensity, and disease management.

How does the company use data to improve farming operations?

The company gathers data throughout the entire farming cycle to establish benchmarks for comparison and analysis, aiming to create data-driven farms.

What is the role of LoRaWAN in the company's farming solutions?

LoRaWAN plays a crucial role in deploying networks in rural areas, providing extensive coverage for sensor data transmission.

How does the company address the issue of power supply in remote farming areas?

The company's solution includes long-lasting batteries that can last for three to four years, minimizing the need for frequent battery changes.

What are some use cases of smart farming technology in Malaysia mentioned by the speaker?

Use cases include managing water penetration issues, avoiding wastage of fertilizers, detecting leaks in irrigation systems, and responding to climate changes.

What is the importance of digitization in farming according to the speaker?

Digitization is essential for identifying blind spots in large acreages, ensuring proper water delivery, and taking immediate actions to prevent issues like leakages.

How does the company ensure that their smart farming solutions are accessible to farmers?

The company focuses on creating user-friendly applications and ensuring the technology is skillable and affordable for farmers.