The First Harvest of Hydroponic Greens from Smart Digital Farming Hub

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) marked a groundbreaking achievement on 22 July 2025 with the official harvesting of its first batch of hydroponic farming greens, cultivated using state-of-the-art smart farming systems.

The event, graced by APU’s Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Parmjit Singh, took place at the AGRHI Technology Hub – Digital Farming, also known as the AGRHI Hub, located within APU’s iconic campus at Technology Park Malaysia. 

Senior leaders, academics, and students, especially members of the Asia Pacific Centre of Robotic Engineering (APCoRE) who run the Erasmus-AGRHI project, witnessed this historic moment.

Innovation Through Collaboration

The AGRHI Hub, conceptualised in October 2024 and fully built by May 2025, stands as a testament to international collaboration and forward-thinking innovation. 

It was established under the Agricultural Revitalisation in Higher Education Institutions of Asian Countries (AGRHI) project, funded by Erasmus+, the European Union’s programme for education, training, youth, and sport. APU has proudly participated in this initiative since 2019. 

“In this project, APU was awarded around €74,869 for the hub development, including €42,000 contributed by APU Management for infrastructure construction,” shared Professor Ir EUR ING Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam, APU’s Chief Innovation & Enterprise Officer (CIEO). 

“Core expertise from APCoRE allowed the Erasmus grant to become a reality, making it the largest grant APU has ever been part of. Delivering on its expected outcomes was made possible through a systematic and iterative design process, value-engineered material selection, smart construction, and timely testing to ensure seamless operations.” 

The AGRHI project brings together higher education institutions from Malaysia, India, Türkiye, Poland, Greece, and Sri Lanka, transforming agricultural education and fostering innovation through emerging technologies for farming across Asia. APCoRE’s strategic involvement helped secure an impressive €800,000 for the consortium in 2024 to advance the digital farming agenda. 

Fusing Agriculture with Technology

The AGRHI Hub is more than just a glasshouse – it is a digital innovation ecosystem. Designed to empower students, researchers, and industry partners, the hub integrates advanced technologies such as Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud Systems, as well as Drone Technology to revolutionise modern farming practices. 

“The AGRHI Hub will be fully operational by the end of August 2025. Currently, the hydroponic system is active, supported by an automated dosing mechanism. We are now finalising the AI dashboard for remote monitoring and the robotic harvesting system,” explained Ts Suresh Gobee, Head of APCoRE and APU’s project lead for Erasmus-AGRHI. 

“This facility will drive research in smart farming, opening opportunities for real-world application of robotics, AI vision systems, IoT devices, and cloud-based monitoring,” Ts Suresh further elaborated. The hub also introduces a new Digital Farming Technology specialisation under the School of Engineering (SoE), with modules available as electives across the university. 

Beyond academics, the AGRHI Hub will provide internship opportunities, research support for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and host workshops, industry training, and demonstrations. 

A Hub Designed for Impact

The hub’s structure comprises two sections: a plant growth zone housing hydroponic and nursery systems, and a command centre for real-time monitoring and control of IoT, AI, and robotic operations. 

Current systems include two Nutrient Film Technique setups, a Vertical Tower system, an auto-pot section for tall plants, and a dedicated nursery for seedlings. “It involves precision farming, automation using robotics, and digital farming powered by AI, IoT, vision systems, and even drone technologies,” Ts Suresh added. 

Voices from the Ground

For students, the AGRHI Hub is an immersive platform that transforms classroom learning into hands-on innovation. Among the interns driving the hub’s daily operations is Alvin Yeap Ming Yuen, a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Information Technology with a specialism in IoT student. 

Sharing his excitement, Alvin said, “Being part of this project has been an incredible journey. I’ve had the chance to work on real-world IoT applications, integrating sensors and cloud systems to optimise crop growth. It’s fascinating to see how technology can solve critical challenges in agriculture. This experience has strengthened my technical skills and inspired me to explore careers in agri-tech innovation.”

Future-Ready Agriculture

As agriculture faces challenges from climate change, food demand, and labour shortages, smart digital solutions have become essential. By merging sensors, AI, robotics, and automation, APU’s AGRHI Hub enables precision farming, boosting crop yield, improving resource efficiency, and promoting environmental sustainability. 

Concluding on an optimistic note, Ts Suresh Gobee emphasised, “As the project lead, I am proud that APU delivered this functional hub through design excellence and strong partnerships. This initiative will enhance food security, create agri-tech jobs, and inspire youth innovation – vital steps toward building a resilient, future-ready nation.”