The harvesting of butternut squash and the Japanese muskmelon with (from left) Mr Aw, Dr Ali, See, and Dr Lim
The collaborative research and development (R&D) initiative between UTAR and HAMI Ecofarms Sdn Bhd on the sustainable muskmelon farming project has successfully completed its second cycle of production– achieving a greater yield, with production outcomes doubling compared to the initial phase. This success is another testament to UTAR and HAMI Ecofarms’ efforts in reinforcing advancements in sustainable agricultural practices.
Led by the Head of Department of Agricultural and Food Science, Dr Ali Yassoralipour, with the guidance of HAMI Ecofarms, he explained, “This second cycle ran from October 2024 to January 2025. For this phase, we focused on optimising soil-based cultivation techniques to enhance yield quality, improve disease resistance, and boost production efficiency. The research involved studies on soil amendment applications and their effects on melon growth performance, alongside pest and disease assessments. We aimed to use the insights gathered to establish a standardised cultivation protocol suitable for Malaysian agricultural conditions, providing a model for future agropreneurs.”
Throughout this collaborative project, conducted at the Green House of Agriculture Park in UTAR Kampar Campus, Founder of HAMI Ecofarms Sdn Bhd Mr Aw Chee Choy has constantly guided the UTAR team with his expertise, dedication, and financial support, which has all been instrumental in advancing this collaboration. On the ground, Dr Ali has also been supported by the Faculty of Science (FSc) academics, namely Head of Bachelor of Science (Honours) Agricultural Science Programme Dr Clement Wong Kiing Fook, Dr Kwong Phek Jin, and UTAR Agriculture Park Management Committee Chairperson Assoc Prof Dr Pedram Kashiani. Special recognition is given to FSc Dean Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng for his unwavering support.
A notable achievement in this cycle was the successful nurturing of dedicated young talents, made possible through the involvement of two UTAR internship students and a final-year project student from the Faculty of Science, majoring in Agricultural Science and Biochemistry. They actively participated in the cultivation project daily for the entire four months.
Intern and Agriculture Science student See Zhen Ni harvesting the Fujisawa Japanese muskmelon
Additionally, butternut squash was introduced alongside the cultivation of Mizuki and Fujisawa Japanese muskmelons. The harvested produce was successfully commercialised as a Chinese New Year Gift Set, showcasing the project’s sustainable and repeatable production potential.
To further enhance efficiency and reduce labour intensity, the project envisions integrating AI, sensors, and automation technologies. These innovations aim to streamline pest and disease monitoring, as well as irrigation and fertilisation processes, aligning with a precision agriculture approach. The team is looking into securing funding to facilitate these advancements and support the long-term objective of refining a scalable Japanese muskmelon cultivation model for Malaysia’s agribusiness sector.
From left: Mr Aw Chee Choy and Dr Ali inspecting the melon
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