In the heart of Malaysia, a senior lecturer from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) has developed an innovative solution to tackle a pressing issue in modern agriculture: the inefficiency of fertigation systems. Mr. Azlan Abdul Aziz, leading a team of researchers, has introduced MyNutriCapsule, a product designed to significantly reduce water and nutrient waste in fertigation farming. The findings, published in the journal HardwareX, present a compelling case for the adoption of this technology in the agriculture sector.
Fertigation, the process of delivering water and nutrients directly to plant roots through irrigation systems, has long been praised for its efficiency and productivity benefits. However, it also comes with substantial drawbacks. Setting up a fertigation system requires considerable costs and expertise in managing soil, water, and fertiliser. Inefficient practices can lead to groundwater contamination from nutrients leaching beyond the root zone. MyNutriCapsule aims to address these issues head-on.
The MyNutriCapsule system has demonstrated impressive results. It recorded a 98% reduction in fertiliser wastage and an 18% reduction in liquid nutritional fertiliser wastage. Additionally, it documented a 20% reduction in treated water consumption and a 27% decrement in overall operational costs. These observations validate the efficiency of MyNutriCapsule in promoting sustainable and cost-effective agricultural practices.
Mr. Azlan Abdul Aziz, the lead author of the study, shared his vision for the technology: “Our goal was to create a solution that not only reduces waste but also makes fertigation more accessible and affordable for farmers. The positive results we’ve seen are a testament to the potential of MyNutriCapsule to revolutionize the agriculture sector.”
The commercial impacts of this research are substantial. By reducing operational costs and promoting sustainable practices, MyNutriCapsule can help farmers increase their profitability while minimizing their environmental footprint. This is particularly important in an era where climate change and resource scarcity are pressing concerns.
The research also opens up new avenues for future developments in precision farming. As Mr. Azlan Abdul Aziz noted, “This technology can be integrated with other precision farming tools to create a more holistic and efficient agricultural system. The possibilities are endless.”
The study, led by Mr. Azlan Abdul Aziz from the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Cawangan Perlis, was published in the journal HardwareX. The research was conducted under the Statistical Analytics, Forecasting and Innovation (SAFI) Research Interest Group, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of the project.
As the agriculture sector continues to evolve, innovations like MyNutriCapsule will play a crucial role in shaping its future. By addressing the challenges of fertigation and promoting sustainable practices, this technology has the potential to transform the way we grow our food. The journey towards a more efficient and sustainable agriculture sector has just begun, and MyNutriCapsule is leading the way.