Hands-On IoT Knowledge Boosts Smart and Precision Farming in Putrajaya

A knowledge sharing session with Komuniti Pertanian Bandar Putrajaya was conducted at Denai Sungai Kebangsaan Anak Sungai Gajah, Precint 9, Putrajaya, recently.  This community engagement was first initiated in 2024 by the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence and Engineering (FAIE), led by its Dean, Prof. Dr. Ooi Chee Pun and Dr. Cham Chin Leei , where they assisted in building an aquaponic site for the community.

The site is solar-powered and incorporates hydroponics and a fishpond system. The recent workshop was designed to provide both theoretical knowledge on smart farming and practical guidance on aquaponic site management. It was attended by volunteers from the Anak Sungai Gajah community farms and an officer from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Selangor.

During the theory session, Dr. Cham explained how IoT applications can be integrated into high-yield crops such as durian and oil palm. He also introduced the fundamentals of IoT system design and its potential to improve crop productivity and management efficiency. The session was interactive, with participants exchanging experiences including one catfish farmer who shared insights on integrating catfish farming into an aquaponic setup.

The practical segment was led by Ir. Dr. Siva Priya Thiagarajah, who demonstrated how to assemble a mini hydroponic system at home and scale it for larger aquaponic plantations. Each participant received a mini hydroponic kit, encouraging them to apply the knowledge gained as a hobby and eventually explore larger-scale setups for greater economic benefit.

With the skills and understanding acquired, participants are expected to manage the aquaponic site at Anak Sungai Gajah independently once it is fully handed over to the community.