Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) is bringing smart farming technology closer to the ground, working with local paddy farmers in Perak to address pest and weed challenges through PREDITACK: Smart Sawah 2026, an initiative that combines Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics to support earlier detection and more targeted intervention.
A live field demonstration was recently held at UTP, involving more than 30 paddy farmers from the Bota and Lambor districts. The programme was conducted in collaboration with the Farmers’ Organisation Authority (LPP) Bota/Lambor, providing farmers with an opportunity to explore how digital technologies and data-driven approaches can complement their experience in managing paddy cultivation.
Led by UTP researcher Ts Dr Mazeyanti Mohd Ariffin, PREDITACK, which stands for Predictive Detection, Identification, and Tackling System, is an evolving smart farming framework developed through UTP’s research to address challenges faced by paddy farmers. Its development began with efforts to tackle Golden Apple Snail infestations and has since evolved to incorporate IoT sensing, AI-enabled image detection and predictive analytics.
The latest iteration, PREDITACK: Smart Sawah 2026, expands the application to address two key threats to paddy cultivation: the Golden Apple Snail and Oval Pondweed, while placing greater emphasis on farmer participation and localised field data.
PREDITACK is a technology-based pest management system developed to support the control of Golden Apple Snails in paddy fields. The system utilises a wave-based snail immobilisation mechanism. The immobilisation component generates waves designed to affect the snails and facilitate their management in infested areas.
Rather than relying solely on chemical molluscicides, PREDITACK provides an alternative technology-assisted approach to Golden Apple Snail management. The system has undergone field testing in paddy environments, and ongoing development focuses on improving its practicality, portability, and effectiveness for field deployment.
Beyond Golden Apple Snails, the potential application of PREDITACK's wave technology is being explored for the management of Oval Pondweed, representing a current extension of the technology beyond its original pest-control application. This application investigates whether the wave-based approach can be used to disrupt or manage unwanted aquatic vegetation without depending entirely on conventional chemical or mechanical control methods.
In the future, the same technological concept could also be investigated for other problematic aquatic organisms and vegetation, particularly algae and water hyacinth (keladi bunting).
Rather than relying on blanket treatment, the approach is intended to help farmers focus intervention on affected areas. This could potentially reduce unnecessary chemical use and labour requirements while helping to protect crops and surrounding waterways.
“Farmers know their fields better than anyone, and their knowledge is an important part of this research. PREDITACK began with a real challenge faced by farmers, particularly the threat posed by Golden Apple Snails. Over the years, the technology has evolved as we continued to learn from the farming community and advance our research. Through Smart Sawah 2026, we are taking that work another step forward by combining farmers’ knowledge and observations to support more targeted decision-making,” said Mazeyanti.
An important aspect of PREDITACK: Smart Sawah 2026 is the active involvement of farmers in the research process. The initiative is part of UTP’s Citizen Science Initiative, which provides a framework for researchers, communities and other stakeholders to work together to address real-world challenges through research, innovation and knowledge sharing.
“For UTP, research should not stop at the laboratory. It becomes meaningful when we can take what we develop, test it in real environments and work alongside the communities who understand the challenges firsthand. PREDITACK: Smart Sawah 2026 allows us to bring together technology, scientific expertise and local knowledge to develop solutions that are practical, relevant and responsive to the needs of the farming community,” Mazeyanti added.
UTP’s Citizen Science Initiative was formally introduced under its Open Science efforts in 2024, providing opportunities for communities and other stakeholders to participate in research activitiesore efficient farming practices while reducing unnecessary chemical use and its potential impact on the surrounding environment.
UTP plans to further expand its Citizen Science activities through community engagement programmes, collaborative research projects, stakeholder workshops and digital platforms that enable wider participation in research and innovation.
PREDITACK: Smart Sawah 2026 demonstrates how research can evolve in response to real-world needs and move beyond the university to be tested alongside the communities it is intended to serve, combining technology, scientific expertise and local knowledge to address agricultural challenges.
