JAPAN: The Ministry for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-FICORD) explores potential collaborations with Japanese institutions and companies to adapt new innovations.
M-FICORD Minister, Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom was impressed after a working visit to Aeon Agri Create Co. Ltd. in Kuki Town, Saitama, Japan to review and study the country’s latest innovations in sustainable and high-tech greenhouse agriculture.
The Sarawak delegation visited Saitama Kuki Farm, a 3.3-hectare facility operated by Aeon Group where tomatoes are grown using a system known as ‘Probioponics’, an organic hydroponic method that replaces chemical fertilisers with biomass-based nutrients.
According to a statement, the visit is part of Sarawak's strategic study mission to explore next-generation agricultural models that integrate digitalisation, energy efficiency and eco-friendly practices, key pillars of the state's agricultural industry transformation agenda.
Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi said the model demonstrates how technology and sustainability can coexist in modern agriculture.
“Aeon Agri Create shows that agriculture can be efficient and responsible. It is an inspiring example for Sarawak as we move towards building a modern agro-industrial ecosystem by 2030,” he said after the visit on Sunday.
He further shared that M-FICORD would explore potential collaborations with Japanese institutions and companies to adapt similar innovations in biomass energy, greenhouse management and organic fertiliser systems that are suitable for Sarawak’s tropical conditions.
“Agriculture today is no longer just about tradition, but about data, science and innovation. What we are seeing in Saitama is a real demonstration of how food security and sustainability can go hand in hand,” he added.
The technology, developed in collaboration with Asahi Kasei Corporation, uses the Nature Ponics platform to automatically generate nutrient solutions from food by-products while using wood pellet heating to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
The statement added by combining automation, energy recovery and precision farming, the facility has achieved high levels of productivity, targeting around 990 tonnes of tomatoes annually, which is significantly higher than traditional farms,it said on Sunday.
The project has also obtained international certification under GLOBALG.A.P. and GRASP, underscoring its commitment to food safety, worker welfare and environmental stewardship.
Aeon Agri Create, established in 2009 under Japanese retail conglomerate Aeon Co. Ltd., operates more than 20 farms across the country and supplies fresh produce directly to the Aeon supermarket chain.
The company’s greenhouse model, blending technology, transparency and traceability are considered one of the leading examples of next-generation agriculture in Japan.
Also present during the visit were M-FICORD Deputy Minister, Datuk Martin Ben, and Director of the Department of Agriculture Sarawak, Dominic Chunggat. -UKASnews
