Empowering rural communities: Smart farming transforms lives in Sungai Ular, Kuantan

• Main Author: Ponari, Md Hoirul Azri
• Other Authors: Wan Zulkifle, Wan Zahidah
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Sejahtera Centre for Sustainability and Humanity 2023
• Subjects: AS Academies and learned societies (General)
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/113605/6/113605_ACTS%20-%20Agents%20of%20Change%20Towards%20Sustainability1.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/113605/
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

Through a knowledge transfer program, rural community life in Sungai Ular, Kuantan, has undergone a remarkable transformation. The local community, particularly the B40 (bottom 40% of Malaysian population according to income distribution) group, faced the challenge of unproductive, infertile land due to the prevalence of Bris soil, resulting in low crop yields and rising fertiliser costs. Nevertheless, this situation has seen significant improvement with the implementation of smart farming technology, which utilises fertigation techniques to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability. This community engagement project became a reality through a collaborative effort involving the Sustainable Agriculture and Green Technology Research Unit (Agtech) at IIUM, the Department of Agriculture Pahang, and the active participation of the Persatuan Peladang (Farmers Association) Kampung Sungai Ular in Kuantan.