Cameron Highlands, Pahang - Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) established a strategic collaboration with Wageningen University & Research (WUR), the Netherlands, and SMACH Venture Sdn. Bhd. to strengthen the development of high-impact smart agriculture in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, on February 11, 2026. The signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Letter of Intent (LOI) was witnessed by His Royal Highness the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta'in Billah, reflecting royal institutional support for the modernisation agenda of the national agri-food sector.

This initiative focuses on the practical and large-scale transfer of technology and research outcomes from laboratory to farm. The collaboration aims to develop a sustainable smart agriculture ecosystem model, with Cameron Highlands serving as the pioneer site. It involves the adaptation of world-class technologies, the development of a Living Lab concept through SMACH Agropark, and the cultivation of modern agripreneurs equipped with data literacy, IoT capabilities, and sustainability awareness. Supported by various stakeholders, including the Department of Agriculture (DOA), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), and Yayasan Pahang Sultan Abdullah (YPSA), this initiative has the potential to enhance productivity and farmers’ income, positioning Pahang as a smart agriculture hub with global expansion potential.