Toshiba Agrees to Collaborate on Weather Data Utilization in Malaysia's Leading Smart Agriculture Endeavor
In a significant move towards global expansion, Toshiba Digital Solutions Corporation, a Toshiba Group company specialising in digital solutions and cutting-edge technologies like IoT and AI, has partnered with Malaysia's Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) and MyDIGITAL Corporation. The collaboration aims to leverage Toshiba's advanced Weather Data Service in Malaysia's smart farming project, Projek Ladang Padi IR4.0 [1][3].
Projek Ladang Padi IR4.0 is a government-funded initiative aimed at integrating digital technologies to transform rice farming in the region. The project is spearheaded by MADA, the authority responsible for Malaysia's agricultural development, established in 1972 [4].
Toshiba's Weather Data Service, which was launched in Japan in May 2023, uses real-time radar data and proprietary analysis to deliver highly accurate forecasts of localised downpours and their intensity [2]. In Malaysia, the service will analyse real-time weather radar data from the Malaysian Meteorological Department, predicting the likelihood and intensity of localised heavy rainfall.
The service's application in Malaysia supports climate resilience and agricultural innovation by providing early warnings of extreme weather, allowing for smarter irrigation and crop management decisions under Projek Ladang Padi IR4.0. By predicting these localised heavy rainstorms with precision, the service enables farmers and authorities to take timely measures to mitigate crop damage and manage water more effectively in the rice fields [1][2][3].
Alerts based on the analysis will be sent to MADA, and MADA will use water gates to manage water flow in rice paddies. This process is expected to reduce the impact of heavy rainfall and protect the rice crop from damage.
Toshiba Digital Solutions Corporation is committed to contributing to global disaster prevention and mitigation. The company also aims to create a series of valuable services and contribute to achieving carbon neutrality and a circular economy [5].
The collaboration between Toshiba, MADA, and MyDIGITAL will carry out a pilot project to evaluate the use of Toshiba's Weather Data Service in rice cultivation decision-making. The partnership is part of Toshiba's global expansion and aligns with Malaysia's digital transformation efforts in agriculture [1][3].
In February 2024, Toshiba Digital Solutions Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MyDIGITAL to explore the technology's application in Malaysia [6]. The partnership is a testament to Toshiba's commitment to creating new value, based on the Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group: "Committed to People, Committed to the Future."
References: 1. Toshiba Digital Solutions Corporation 2. Toshiba's Weather Data Service in Japan 3. Toshiba's Partnership with MADA and MyDIGITAL 4. Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) 5. Toshiba's Commitment to Carbon Neutrality and a Circular Economy 6. Toshiba's MoU with MyDIGITAL
The collaboration between Toshiba Digital Solutions Corporation, Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA), and MyDIGITAL will leverage Toshiba's advanced Weather Data Service in Malaysia, specifically for Projek Ladang Padi IR4.0. This service, which incorporates environmental science and technology, will analyze real-time weather data to predict heavy rainfall and enable smarter irrigation and crop management decisions, thereby supporting climate resilience and agricultural innovation in the region. Through this partnership, Toshiba aims to provide valuable services contributing to global disaster prevention and mitigation, carbon neutrality, and a circular economy.
