FarmByte, a digital agri-food company under Johor Corporation (JCorp), and Singapore agritech firm Archisen have launched one of Malaysia’s biggest indoor vertical farm in Johor Bahru, marking a major milestone in advancing climate-resilient, tech-enabled food production for the region.
The farm, built out of a joint venture that was formalised in 2024 forming FarmByte Archisen Sdn. Bhd., combines scalable infrastructure with smart farming systems to produce high-quality leafy greens year-round – supporting regional food security goals while also championing environmental stewardship and cross-border collaboration.
Spanning 52,000 square feet, the smart, high-tech indoor vertical farm leverages Controlled-Environment Agriculture (CEA) to grow fresh, pesticide-free produce all year round, regardless of weather conditions. With CEA, the farm allows for real-time monitoring of plant production, nutrient delivery and microclimate using a network of sensors. The automation of irrigation systems at the farm also enables a smooth delivery of the appropriate amount of nutrients to the plants, contributing to the overall efficiency of the growing process.
All these are supported by a suite of innovative practices, including machine learning to develop “crop recipes” for maximum nutrition and yield, and closed-loop systems in which water and nutrients are recaptured and reused, drastically reducing input waste. Data collected at the farm, including relative humidity and temperature data, will also continue to inform the systems and adjust accordingly.
With its modular, scalable design, the farm’s infrastructure also makes it possible to deploy vertical farms in both urban centres and suburban communities, supporting decentralised food production and bringing food production closer to consumers.
Menteri Besar Johor Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, said, “We are proud that this indoor vertical farm is a showcase of the strong and strategic partnership between Malaysia and Singapore in the area of food resilience. The collaboration between FarmByte and Archisen marks a pioneering initiative under the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), setting the tone for deeper cross-border cooperation.”
With an estimated annual output of 306,000 kg of fresh produce, the farm is a strategic asset supporting Malaysia’s National Food Security Policy Action Plan and Singapore’s ‘30 by 30’ food resilience goal.
“Archisen is excited to bring our technological expertise to this landmark project and proud to see this indoor vertical farm come to fruition,” added Vincent Wei, Director of FarmByte Archisen. “We see this long-term collaboration with FarmByte advancing sustainable farming practices, leveraging efficient farming systems, and enhancing food resilience of both countries.”
To offer a truly immersive glimpse into the world of indoor vertical farming, the facility also features an experiential centre—complete with a farm corridor that lets visitors observe and engage with the vertical farming process up close.
For more information, visit farmbyte.com
