As CEA gains traction across Southeast Asia, Malaysia's Plant Factory, developed under the UPM–MTDC Signature Programme, is becoming a validation site for growers seeking tested, commercially relevant production models. Built by Universiti Putra Malaysia and the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC), the facility serves as both a research laboratory and an operational bridge, linking prototype technologies to real-world greenhouse and vertical farm deployments.
According to the MTDC Group Chief Executive Officer, Ts. Hj. Mohammad Hazani Hj Hassan, the programme's value lies in its emphasis on practical workflows. "The Plant Factory demonstrates complete CEA workflows like fertigation, lighting and environmental set-points that have already delivered consistent, saleable harvests." Its weekly lettuce output for a domestic buyer, she said, shows growers "a validated, replicable process that reduces trial-and-error and shortens the journey from pilot to market-ready product."
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Modular Industry 4.0 tools for small and mid-scale growers
A key question from growers is whether high-tech tools fit smaller operations. Mohammad Hazani notes that MTDC embedded the programme within its Co9P® Experience Centre to ensure accessibility. "Co9P® is designed from the ground up for SMEs. Its Industry 4.0 modules are modular, customisable and supported by training and certification, so mid- and small-scale greenhouse operators can adopt them without being overwhelmed." These include sensing systems, automation, analytics and digital-readiness assessments tailored for farms transitioning from traditional production.
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Funding and advisory support
To support growers entering CEA, MTDC offers funding pathways such as NTIS, MySTI Dana Mudahcara and Dana Uji Beli, backed by advisory and technology-readiness programmes. "Funding is only one part of the equation," Mohammad Hazani says. "We provide advisory, training and technology readiness programmes that help growers adopt, validate and scale technologies in real operating environments."
Crop trials aligned with Malaysia's greenhouse market
The Plant Factory focuses on leafy greens with strong domestic demand. Green Coral lettuce production has reached about 100 kg weekly at RM6/kg, while trials include Red Coral, Red Oak, Crispy Leaf, Curly Kale, Baby Spinach and microgreens, typically priced at RM12–RM20/kg. "We prioritise crops that fit existing greenhouse conditions here and market price points in Malaysia."
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Replicable gains in consistency and efficiency
Data generated at the facility helps growers understand the impact of disciplined CEA processes. "Consistent weekly output and predictable grade give growers proof that process discipline works." He added that validated irrigation–light–climate "recipes" and quality-control steps can be ported directly into commercial greenhouses and vertical farms.
Through MTDC's Co9P® and NTIS platforms, greenhouse operators can engage in pilots, validation exercises and feedback loops on cultivars, substrates, lighting regimes and post-harvest handling. "Our setup is intentionally iterative," Mohammad Hazani says. "Growers can partner with us to test commercial scenarios and accelerate the refinement of technologies for Malaysian conditions."
Site visits and knowledge transfer
Growers may arrange site visits via UPM's Faculty of Agriculture. "We encourage greenhouse operators to visit the facility and see these systems running in real time. The goal is open knowledge transfer, not a closed research environment."
A core component of the programme is linking proof-of-concept technologies with real buyers through MTDC's funding pipelines. The MySTI certification scheme strengthens procurement priority for local technologies. "By validating technologies and connecting them to early commercial demand, we reduce risk for growers planning to scale or enter export-driven supply chains."
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Empowering growers within Malaysia's tech-driven food security push
He notes that greenhouse growers are central to Malaysia's wider technology-enabled food security strategy. "Growers are the last-mile adopters who translate research into real food production," aligning with national frameworks such as DSMN 2021–2025 and MOSTI's DSTIN 2021–2030.
The Plant Factory's modular architecture, integrated within MTDC's Co9P®/NTIS platform, was built for replication across regions. "Our national programmes are structured so validated models can be scaled across regions with active greenhouse hubs." The goal, he added, is a network of SME-ready CEA pathways rather than a single flagship site.
For more information:
Faculty of Agriculture, UPM
agri.upm.edu.my
[email protected]
+603-9769 4802
Malaysian Technology Development Corporation
mtdc.com.my
Nor Sadnawaty Saifuddin
[email protected]
