Challenges of Iot/5g Advancement in the Oil Palm Upstream

Abstract

5G technology is vital for the development of Internet of Things (IoT) application in Malaysia to enhance the development of the agriculture and plantation industry. The nation is marching towards big data and artificial intelligence. Consequently, having 5G networks merging with IoT technology as a platform would contribute to the country’s gross domestic income up to RM 12.7 billion ringgit. There are tangible and intangible benefits to the oil palm industry if the technologies of 5G/IOT are implemented. In the oil palm industry, the technology of 5G network can uplift the current technology in the field to enhance the labour productivity. On the other hand, the dependency on foreign workers can also be reduced. Apart from that, the use of 5G/IoT will improve crop productivity and land use efficiency to improve palm oil yield. However, IoT platforms relying on 5G technology will be challenging in rural oil palm areas where there is low signal for communication. In relation to that, preliminary research shows that LoRA technology that is similar to 5G technology is able to work in remote areas. 5G/ IoT related technology implementation is vital in the oil palm plantation at the upstream level.