SEBERANG PERAI, December 4 — A significant RM50 million agritech initiative was officially inaugurated in Penang today, marking a strategic move to establish an Agriculture Silicon Valley within the state. Dubbed the Sedusun Tech Valley, the project’s design phase will commence this year with an initial allocation of RM1 million, according to Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. Chow noted that the project site is located within the existing Relau agricultural station, where a conceptual contest was previously held.
He also highlighted that the project has received an RM50 million allocation for implementation, thanks to support from the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority and the Ministry of Economy. “In the next year, the RM50 million allocation will be used to implement components of the Sedusun Tech Valley, with tenders being called for the project’s execution,” Chow stated during a press conference following the official launch of the project and a seminar on agrofood sector investments at Bertam Resort. Furthermore, he revealed that the site is suitable for incorporating an agrotourism component alongside the agritech center. The project is expected to span two years, with a full completion target set for the second quarter of 2026.
It is anticipated that by 2030, the initiative will draw more than 10,000 visitors. NCIA Chief Executive Officer Mohamad Haris Kader Sultan mentioned that Sedusun Tech will be developed in phases, emphasizing its importance as an income source for the state and for the project’s maintenance. The creation of an Agricultural Silicon Valley in Penang will prioritize smart agriculture to optimize agricultural yields in the state. The agricultural sector in Penang has contributed about 1.8 percent, or RM2.1 billion, to the state’s gross domestic product, which is expected to increase with Sedusun Tech’s full operation.
