More communities including schools in the Malaysian state of Johor are set to implement smart hydroponic and solar system farming to strengthen renewable energy adoption and urban agriculture. The Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) initiative uses a vertically designed hydroponics structure integrated with solar energy and Internet of Things (IoT).
It was first adopted at the Jasa Apartment in Mutiara Rini, Johor Baru in 2023, said project leader Associate Professor Dr Dalila Mat Said. She said the vertical structure could accommodate up to 1,008 plants at a time, allowing for efficient use of limited space.
"Among the vegetables grown are mustard greens, local spinach, kailan, siew pak choy and kangkung. At the Jasa Apartment, each system has six levels and can accommodate 336 planting holes, depending on pipe configuration and crop type," she told StarMetro. She added that the system was equipped with an IoT technology-based app that enabled remote nutrient mixing and farm monitoring via smartphones and laptops.
"Most of the crops take between 30 and 35 days to mature," she said. "The process begins with seed germination for up to five days, followed by six to 14 days in the nursery.
Read more at The Star
