Kota Samarahan (4 Mar): Zulfadli Hazim Zul Azlan, a postgraduate student, along with his supervisors, Syahrul Nizam Junaini and Noor Alamshah Bolhassan from Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FCSIT), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), has illuminated the transformative potential of digital technologies in Asia’s agronomy and forestry sectors.
Published in the prestigious Agricultural Systems journal, a top-tier Q1 Web of Science journal (Impact Factor: 6.6, top 10%), his systematic review showcases the significant strides made towards sustainable agriculture and forestry management.
The study analyzes data from 24 relevant papers. The research team identified how digital tools like geospatial technologies, modeling tools, decision support systems, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and the Internet of Things (IoT) can propel biodiversity, improve labor efficiency, and enhance climate resilience.
This achievement not only underscores the critical role of digital innovation in overcoming the challenges of rising food demand, land scarcity, and climate change but also marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of smart agriculture and forestry in Asia.
The research, supported by the Vice Chancellor High Impact Grant, provides a comprehensive overview of the existing applications of digital technology in the agronomy–livestock–forestry nexus.
The review article title is ‘Evidence of the potential benefits of digital technology integration in Asian agronomy and forestry: A systematic review.’
It addresses the disparities in technology adoption and the necessity for further direct experimentation to validate the widespread benefits of these digital solutions.
The authors’ work is poised to inform stakeholders and inspire future research, setting a new benchmark for the integration of digital technologies in environmental stewardship and agricultural productivity.
This study not only elevates UNIMAS on the global academic stage but also highlights the critical contributions of its faculty towards addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing the agricultural sectors in Asia.
This research is related with Sustainable Development Goal (Life on Land – SDG 15).