A group of rubber smallholders in Perak is now tapping into Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drone technology in their plantations, following a transformative training programme conducted by Universiti Kuala Lumpur’s (UniKL) Center for Water Engineering Technology (CWET).
Held from 22 to 24 April 2025 at Institut Kemajuan Pekebun Kecil (IKPK), Perak, the training was a strategic effort to bridge the digital divide and promote technology adoption in the agricultural sector.
“As agriculture continues to evolve through digitalisation, it is imperative that smallholders are not left behind.
“Through this training, we aim to empower the rural farming community with the knowledge and tools necessary to build a more resilient and sustainable agricultural economy,” said Associate Professor Dr. Engku Ahmad Azrulhisham, Head of CWET and one of the key speakers during the training titled “AI for Agriculture.”
The training programme also featured Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Ahmad Shakir Mohd Saudi, Programme Coordinator at CWET.
Organised in collaboration with the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) and UniKL’s Centre for Advancement and Continuing Education (ACE), the programme was specifically designed for rubber industry smallholders and their second generation.
Twenty participants took part in the three-day course, which aimed to enhance their understanding of how AI and emerging technologies can be applied to improve agricultural practices and productivity.
They were introduced to the fundamentals of AI and machine learning, with focused modules on soil investigation, crop health monitoring, and smart yield optimisation.
Additionally, participants were exposed to the use of Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (AUAVs) in agriculture, including practical field exercises and localised case studies relevant to smallholder farming activities.
