CYBERJAYA, The Bio-PINTAR programme, a smart indoor vegetable farming project using biotechnology applications, made its first export of farm produce to Singapore today.

The vegetable plants such as romaine, butterhead lettuce and fresh kale from the smart indoor farms in Cyberjaya are pesticide-free and enriched with nutrients.

The smart indoor farming programme is a collaboration between MSD Innovation Sdn Bhd (MSDi) and Sustenir Agriculture (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd established by the Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corp, the economic development agency for the biotechnology and bio-based industry in Malaysia, as the leader of the programme since 2022.

Speaking to the media after the flag off ceremony for the first shipment of farm vegetables to Singapore here today, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang said the achievement demonstrates Malaysia’s success in advancing indoor farming by applying biotechnology applications as a solution to address food security issues.

“The farm products are not only for export but also to meet the demands of the local market,“ he said adding that many are still not fully aware of indoor and pesticide-free vegetable cultivation.

Chang said the supply of vegetable products from Bio-PINTAR farms will be enhanced in line with the business understanding between MSDi and its collaborative partners in Singapore, with the target to meet the demand of 60 tonnes worth RM5 million per year.

Bio-PINTAR implementation aims to support the National Biotechnology Policy 2.0, the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2021-2023 and the National Agro-food Policy 2021-2030 which have emphasised on sustainable food production through the use of the latest technology.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency