1 day Ago By S. BIRRUNTHA
KUALA LUMPUR: EcoFirst Consolidated Bhd's subsidiary EcoFirst Opal Sdn Bhd (EOSB) has partnered with Johor Biotechnology and Biodiversity Corporation (JBBC) to propel agricultural innovation in Johor. The partnership sets up a collaborative framework under the Johor Agricultural Research and Development Centre (J-ARDC), focusing on agricultural research, smart farming technologies, biotechnology applications and sustainable farming practices. JBBC, a statutory body under the Johor Biotechnology and Biodiversity Enactment 2006, plays a pivotal role in advancing the state's bioeconomy and ecological initiatives.
Through this collaboration, JBBC seeks to catalyse synergy between the public sector, academia, and private industry, empowering the agricultural sector with knowledge, research, and commercial innovation. Both parties will also cooperate on knowledge-sharing platforms, commercialisation of agri-based technologies, development of training programmes and talent pipelines, and the establishment of technology demonstration centres. EcoFirst group chief executive officer Chew Hian Tat said the collaboration enables the group to support Johor's agricultural transformation and reinforces its commitment to long-term impact, stakeholder value, and dynamic innovation.
"While our roots remain in the property sector, we believe in creating value beyond buildings," he said in a statement. Meanwhile, a spokesperson from JBBC noted that the collaboration reflects their commitment to fostering impactful collaborations that drive smart farming, biotechnology, and sustainability. "By combining our institutional ecosystem with EcoFirst's dynamic approach, we aim to unlock greater value for Johor's agri-sector and strengthen Malaysia's position in the regional bioeconomy," the spokesperson said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd.
