One of the main pest control concept in Biotic farming is “Biotic Community Balance”. Biotic farming discouraged pest control even if it is non chemical pest control like organic pesticide, organic pest repellent or mechanical pest control (light trap, yellow sticker, garden gun and etc).

Instead, we let nature take its course. We rely on food chain to control the pests in our garden.

According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, food chain is “in ecology, the sequence of transfers of matter and energy in the form of food from organism to organism. Food chains intertwine locally into a food web because most organisms consume more than one type of animal or plant. Plants, which convert solar energy to food by photosynthesis, are the primary food source. In a predator chain, a plant-eating animal is eaten by a flesh-eating animal. In a parasite chain, a smaller organism consumes part of a larger host and may itself be parasitized by even smaller organisms. In a saprophytic chain, microorganisms live on dead organic matter.“[1]

Based on food chain definition, each organisms is either consuming or being consumed by other organisms. Each pests found in our garden will has it’s own enemy. Theoretically, when the pests population increases it will attracts its predator aka beneficial insects.  The beneficial insects will keep the pests population under threshold level.

Therefore, to control pests in our garden all we need to do is to find the balance in predator-prey relations. One of the method in maintaining the balance of the biotic community is planting sacrificial crop (I will explain more about this in my next posts).

Reference:

1) https://www.britannica.com/science/food-chain

Pagoh Muar, 19^th November 2019 – The Innovation Centre in Agritechnology for Advanced Bioprocessing (ICA) held its second research symposium at the Convention Centre in Pagoh Higher Education Hub. The 2^nd ICA Research Symposium (ICARS) 2019 is organized by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, in collaboration with the Malaysian Ministry of Education, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, International Islamic University Malaysia and Politeknik Tun Syed Nasir at the Pagoh Higher Education Hub.

Themed Agriculture and Food Innovation, the 2^nd ICARS 2019 was officiated by Prof. Dr. Rosli Bin Md. Illias, Chair, Research Alliance of Health and Wellness, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. In his speech, Prof. Dr. Rosli highlighted that the event was an important move given that the agriculture and food industries in Malaysia is moving towards Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) as well as looking into cooperation with industry, government to increase the agriculture production.

Since its inception in 2018, the ICARS annually attracts researchers, scientists, young professionals, and industry player from agriculture and food sector to network and exchange scientific and case studies on a wide range of agriculture technology and food science issue. The 2^nd ICARS 2019 featured a comprehensive scientific programme highlighting the biotic, natural & organic farming, beneficial microorganism, bioactive compounds for health and wellness, nutrient dense & functional food, and socioeconomics in agriculture & food production. It also includes areas of current interest such as sustainable environment, Internet of Things (IoT) and precision farming. The scientific programme was joined by leading industry players that see practicality for the latest development of agriculture technology and food science research.

A total of 50 scientific papers were presented in oral and poster presentation sessions. The symposium featured a keynote speech from Professor Dr. Mohamad Roji Sarmidi, founder of ICA and excellent array of renowned speakers including  Group Chief Executive Officer of REDtone International Berhad, Mr. Lau Bik Soon, Country Manager of EMRO Malaysia Sdn. Bhd, Mr. Yoshitaka Fukugauchi, and Director of Zenxin Agriculture Sdn. Bhd, Mr. Jeff Tai.

Some of the key highlights at the ICARS 2019 included:

• Keynote titled “Soil Health and Nutrient Dense Crops” delivered by Prof. Dr. Mohamad Roji Sarmidi, UTM – a discussion about the issues of malnutrition and the importance of revolutionize farming method to produce nutrient dense food
• “Smart Farming: Revolutionizing The Malaysian Agriculture Industry” delivered by Mr. Lau Bik Soon, REDtone International Berhad – an introduction to smart farming using IoT and the solar powered sensor hub with LORA technology.
• “EM and Microbiome” delivered by Mr. Yoshitaka Fukugauchi, EMRO Malaysia Sdn Bhd – introduced the concept of microbiome and its importance in nutrient cycling in agriculture
• “Embracing sustainable agriculture with EM technology” delivered by Mr. Jeff Tai, Zenxin Agriculture Sdn. Bhd. – highlighted the importance of sustainable agriculture and the application of effective microorganism in varies agriculture use such as fertilizer, cattle farming and etc.

Dr. Cheng Kian Kai, the Chairman of ICARS 2019 “We are very grateful to all the delegates, some who travelled a significant distance to join us for this annual event. Furthermore, the supports provided by our collaborators, exhibitors and sponsors were essential to the success of the event. Special thanks to UTM Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation, Professor Datuk Ts. Dr. Ahmad Fauzi Ismail and Professor Dr. Rosli Md Illias, Dean Research Alliance of Health and Wellness UTM for the tremendous support for this event.”

Sponsors for the event include IKA Works Asia Sdn. Bhd., O&E Technologies Sdn.Bhd., Medigene Sdn. Bhd., AgroBank and REDtone International Berhad.

For more information, please visit https://pagoh.utm.my/icasymposium/.

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What is biotic farming? It is a farming concept developed by founder of Innovation Centre in Agritechnology for Advanced Bioprocessing, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia – Prof. Dr. Mohamad Roji Bin Sarmidi. Biotic farming is farm method that simulates natural ecosystem. Biotic farming is all about finding the balance in nature. A balance between : beneficial insects vs pests, plant diseases vs plant immune system, and weed vs crops. The existence of pests, disease and weeds will  activate plant immune system and increases phytochemical contents in crops. The objectives of biotic farming is to produce nutrient dense crops.

Before I talk about my plan to soar high in academia, here are my definition of soaring high in academia. Success means different thing for different people and being a successful academician to me is able to inspire students to chase their dream and fight for what they want in life. I believed “Knowledge changes life”. Knowledge is power but knowledge without action can be useless. Being an academician is not just about knowledge transfer, but also inspire students to reach their full potential and use the knowledge they learned to chase their dream, just like how I am inspired by people in my life.  I wish to encourage my students step out of their comfort zone or life restriction to see the world and chase their dream. I hope that they are daring to take chances in life, never let fear decide their future/fate, and find purpose in life. Just like the quote from the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty “To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life.”

Students are my anchor to keep me grounded on my Soul of Academia. The heart of teaching and learning is the connection between teachers and students, and teaching a lecture full of motivated students is very enjoyable for me. In addition, at the end of the semester, reading student’s feedback in EPPP is very fulfilling. Especially comments explaining how I affect their students’ lives through teaching them the important life lessons that will help them beyond studies and exams. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing that I have made an impact on someone’s life.

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