Agro sector to lead in wireless sensor network application — Rais

July 30, 2010, Friday

PUTRAJAYA: The agricultural sector is to lead in the application of the wireless sensor network (WSN) which provides invaluable services with its short-range communications capabilities, Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said yesterday.

TAKING THE NEXT STEP: Salang signs a plaque to symbolically launch the National Centre of Excellence for Sensor Technology in Putrajaya. Vice-chancellor of Universiti Putra Malaysia Prof Tan Sri Dr Nik Mustapha R Abdullah is at left.— Bernama photo

The expertise derived in agricultural technology through WSN was expected to propel Malaysia as the leader of WSN technology globally, he said.

“The use of WSN in agriculture will promote the transformation of agriculture from a resource-based industry to one based on intensive knowledge,” he said in his speech opening the national seminar on wireless sensor technology and launching the National Centre of Excellence for Sensor Technology (Nest).

The text of Dr Rais’s speech was read out by Deputy Minister Datuk Joseph Salang.

Dr Rais said Nest was established by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) to undertake research and development (R&D) and promote the use of WSN technology in the various sectors in the country.

“NEST is undertaking research to create new research opportunities, encompassing design activities and development of new technology, equipment design and new sensor software, as well as new communication protocol for WSN,” he said.

At a news conference after the event, Salang said the agricultural and engineering sectors were among the sectors with great potential to apply the WSN technology.

He said WSN technology could contribute towards stepping up growth spurred by productivity and innovation.

In the agricultural sector, WSN was used in the fertigation system to monitor soil temperature and condition to produce greater crop yield. — Bernama

while in the engineering sector, it was used in slope monitoring, he said. — Bernama