Singapore-based frozen food manufacturer HB Global Limited has partnered Malaysian property firm HIS Holdings Sdn. Bhd. to develop artificial intelligence (AI) technology agriculture and plantation initiatives in Pahang of Malaysia.

HB Global said in a statement on Thursday that it has entered into a joint venture cum shareholders’ agreement with HIS to jointly develop AI technology-driven agriculture and plantation activities and businesses on a 500-acre land in Pahang.

The partnership will be undertaken through a joint venture entity, HB Global Capital Sdn. Bhd.

HB Global and HIS Holdings’ shareholdings in the joint venture entity will be 55% and 45% respectively.

Together, HB Global and HIS Holdings will combine their strengths where HB Global will bring its expertise in upstream agriculture, while HIS Holdings shall procure approximately 500 acres of suitable land in Pekan, Pahang for the project.

“For this venture, we will be investing up to MYR 9 million ($2.03m) to transform a 500-acre site in Pahang into a cutting-edge, AI-driven plantation,

“We will leverage our expertise to identify suitable crops and optimize their cultivation based on terrain and soil conditions,” said Muhammad Abdullah, Chairman of HB Global.

According to him, they aim to boost their nation’s agricultural production and yield while encouraging the adoption of modern farming techniques.

This will support local farmers and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient industry in Malaysia, he added.

He also said the aspiration of this AI technology-driven agricultural project aligns with the vision of HIS Holdings Sdn. Bhd., which emphasizes environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles in developing modern projects in the state of Pahang,”

“This move is also in line with the government’s commitment to revitalize Malaysia’s agricultural sector as a key economic driver, leveraging technology to enhance productivity and sustainability,” he added.

According to him, this focus on agricultural advancement is crucial for strengthening food security and ensuring a stable food supply for the nation, especially in the face of climate change challenges.

The commitment is reflected in the continued increase in allocation to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Budget 2025, which is allocated MYR 6.42 billion ($1.45 billion) to address the evolving needs of the agriculture and agro-food sectors.

For the project, HB Global is collaborating with Malaysia-based AI enterprise cloud solutions provider Work At Cloud Sdn. Bhd.

With more than 20 years of experience, Work At Cloud is a homegrown technology company that delivers agricultural projects that reduced harvest cycles, optimize fertilizer costs and ultimately improve overall yield.

“This project is exciting as it leverages the state-of-the-art AI solutions developed by our technology partner, Work At Cloud,

“We will be utilizing a network of internet of things (IoT) devices and sensors combined with AI to monitor and analyze critical factors such as soil quality, climate conditions and crop health in real-time,” said Muhammad Abdullah.

According to him, the AIpowered system is expected to increase yield, improve production efficiency, enhance plantation output quality, optimize resource management and reduce reliance on manual labor.

Furthermore, it would enable product traceability that allows consumers and producers to track the origins and journey of food products, ensuring food safety, supporting fair trade and promoting sustainable practices.

“By embracing this innovative approach, we aim to achieve a first-mover advantage in the rapidly evolving agriculture industry,” he added.

He said the venture also perfectly aligns with HB Global’s strategic plans to strengthen their position in the agriculture upstream segment.

“We hope this project will serve as a role model for the future of farming, with the potential to be scaled across Malaysia,

“We want to play a leading role in modernizing Malaysia’s agriculture sector, support local farmers and ushering in a new era of sustainable and efficient agriculture practices,” he concluded.

Listed on Malaysia’s bourse, HB Global is currently involved in the processing, packaging and production of ready-to-serve foods, frozen vegetables and other food products.

HIS is principally engaged in the activity of investment holding in shares and real properties and provision of management and consultancy services.

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