FarmByte, a subsidiary of Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad, has launched the FarmByte Food Hub, a technology-driven agrofood ecosystem aimed at consolidating and building the resilience of Johor’s agrofood sector. The new digital-first approach seeks to increase agricultural output, uplift the livelihoods of farmers, and strengthen food security at the state and national levels. The project is part of Johor Corporation’s vision to create a sustainable agrofood industry that can compete at the international level in terms of production and product efficiency and quality.

The FarmByte Food Hub, located in Ulu Tiram, aims to integrate all the activities throughout the value chain, from production to distribution, while creating efficiencies, transparency, and trust. The networked ecosystem connects farmers, processors, distributors, retailers, and wholesalers via a hybrid setting of physical and digital hubs. To meet the expected increase in production, FarmByte plans to build a new Collection Processing Packaging Centre (CPPC) and two new Collection Distribution Centres.

The newly launched FarmByte Food Hub will provide farmers with simple digital tools, market intelligence, and real-time production schedules to navigate the fragmented agrofood sector seamlessly and accelerate their growth. A mobile app provides farmers with access to personalised advice and analytics to expand their knowledge of expert farming practices.

The Chairman of FarmByte, Datuk Syed Mohamed Syed Ibrahim, said the FarmByte Food Hub would allow for the sustainable production of high-quality and high-value agrofood products. Through digitalisation and innovation, it will also help uplift the livelihoods and standards of living of smallholder farmers, while encouraging the participation of the younger generation in the agrofood sector.

One of the farmers in the trial, Yusaini Ali, who owns 6.3 hectares in Felda Ulu Tebrau, said many smallholders struggle to navigate the complex agrofood business. Being part of the FarmByte Food Hub will give them certainty about what to plant and when demand will be highest so they can get the best price. The tools and analytics provided will enable them to maximise their production and make their businesses more efficient, enhancing their farming skills and knowledge.