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Revitalizing Malaysian Agriculture with Taiwanese Techniques
In the rural village of Rasa, Malaysia, an hour's drive from Kuala Lumpur, 41-year-old farmer Lee Huat Seng is revolutionizing his family’s farm. "Over here we have corn. It's of the same quality as in Taiwan," says Lee. Lee’s journey began in Taiwan, where he studied agricultural production, gaining valuable insights and learning techniques that now power his operations back in Malaysia.
Learning the Tools of the Trade
Many of Lee’s seedlings come from Taiwan, and the planting technique he uses is one he learned during his time there. “We use a specific type of woven bag,” Lee explains. This fabric allows for better root penetration, and once the sapling is securely transplanted, it’s moved to a nursery. It’s this innovative approach, directly influenced by Taiwanese farming methods, that has made Lee’s farm a pioneer in Malaysia. “We are the first company in Malaysia to use this technique, which is why our papaya seedlings sell so well,” he adds.
From Farming to Leisure: A New Vision
With production running smoothly, Lee has bigger dreams. His latest project is building a coffee shop on the property, part of his vision to transform it into a "leisure farm." This concept, inspired by his time in Taiwan, aims to turn the farm into a destination where visitors can learn about agriculture, participate in planting and harvesting, and enjoy fresh produce at the café — all in a single visit. "I learned about the concept of a leisure farm while studying in Taiwan," says Lee. He hopes to recreate the same engaging experience he had during his own educational journey.
Expanding Agricultural Techniques in Malaysia
Two hours west of Lee’s farm, another Malaysian farmer is also benefiting from Taiwanese technology. Allen Lim, who operates a rice farm in Sekinchan, uses machinery imported from Taiwan decades ago. This includes transplanters and seeding conveyors, which have dramatically increased efficiency on his farm. With two transplanters, farmers can plant over two football fields of rice in just 2.5 hours.
Diversifying for Survival
For Lim, the introduction of Taiwanese technology has been crucial not just for his farm but for his business model. His company now offers rice transplanting services to other farms in the region, providing an additional revenue stream. “Right now, there is no way rice mills can survive just on production,” Lim explains. “But our company does other things, like rice transplanting, which can subsidize our rice mill. Essentially, Taiwan’s technology saved our factory.”
A Shared Agricultural Future
The connection between Taiwan and Malaysia’s farmers runs deep, and Taiwan’s agriculture ministry is keen to expand this partnership. "A lot of Malaysian farmers are ethnic Chinese, so we have no problem communicating with them," says Hsiao Chung-chiung, director of the Department of International Affairs at Taiwan’s agriculture ministry. “We share many of the same agricultural products, and our approach to farming is very similar.”
As farmers like Lee and Lim continue to apply Taiwanese techniques to their Malaysian farms, they’re helping to create a model for sustainable agriculture. Taiwan hopes that by sharing its homegrown technology and strategies, more Malaysian farms will benefit in the years to come.
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