The field of agriculture is a fundamental part of human survival, beginning with the production of raw materials and continuing through processing into food, while also providing employment opportunities. In Malaysia, although the industrial and service sectors have grown, agriculture remains a key contributor to food security, the national economy, and rural development. Studying agriculture exposes students to various branches, including traditional farming, modern farming, and the growing agro-industry.

Despite its importance, agriculture still faces negative perceptions, especially among youth. Shaari et al. (2025) reported that negative attitudes, low motivation, and the belief that agriculture is unattractive or “less prestigious” are among the main factors discouraging youth from engaging in the sector. Similarly, Abu Bakar et al. (2022) found that many young people are reluctant to pursue agricultural entrepreneurship due to perceptions that agricultural work is physically demanding, outdated, and has an uncertain future, even though the sector has good income potential. D’Silva et al. (2020) also showed that while students studying agriculture have some inclination to join the sector, their decisions are still influenced by socio-demographic factors such as age, education, and social environment.

The emergence of smart farming has been seen as a way to help change these negative perceptions. Traditionally, agriculture is associated with heavy physical labor and uncertain income. However, the use of technology such as sensors, drones, the Internet of Things (IoT), automated irrigation systems, and data analytics has transformed agriculture into a more modern and skill-based profession. Studies show that smart farming creates a new image for the sector that is more professional and technologically advanced, attracting youth interested in innovation and modern entrepreneurship (Thilakarathne et al., 2025; Shaari et al., 2025).

In addition to simplifying tasks, smart farming improves efficiency and reduces dependence on manual labor. Digital applications for crop monitoring and data-driven decision-making give youth confidence that agriculture aligns with modern technical and innovative careers. This approach also opens new entrepreneurial opportunities through technology integration, which can increase yields, reduce weather risks, and make operations more cost-effective. These factors help shape the perception that agriculture is not only relevant but can also provide better income than traditional methods.

Smart farming is increasingly seen as a career requiring higher-level skills. Technology in agriculture allows youth to apply STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills, making the field more appealing to a generation accustomed to digital environments. Many studies indicate that technology increases youth interest and participation because it offers practical learning experiences and intellectual challenges. Automation also has the potential to improve the social status of agricultural work by reducing the stigma that it is only for low-educated individuals. When youth view agriculture not merely as “fertilizer and hoe work” but as a professional, technology-based field, their perception of its career prospects changes.

Overall, current literature suggests that smart farming not only improves agricultural efficiency and productivity but also plays a significant role in changing negative perceptions of agriculture among youth. With proper educational support, training, and access to technology and resources, smart farming has the potential to attract more young people to engage in agriculture in the future.

Sources: epazz, sadaf. (2022, April 18). 

Abu Bakar, N., Rahman, A. A., & Hassan, S. (2022). Youth intention on agricultural entrepreneurship. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365933795_Youth_Intention_on_Agricultural_Entrepreneurship

D’Silva, J. L., Shaffril, H. A. M., Omar, S. Z., & Hassan, M. S. (2020). Socio-demographic differences on youth behavioural intention to engage in agriculture. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 10(12). https://kwpublications.com/papers/detail/IJARBSS/16069/Socio-Demographic-Differences-on-Youth-Behavioural-Intention-to-Engage-in-Agriculture

Shaari, R., Ibrahim, N., & Mansor, N. (2025). Key factors influencing youth engagement in Malaysia’s agricultural sector. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/388909902_Key_Factors_Influencing_Youth_Engagement_in_Malaysia%27s_Agricultural_Sector

Navod Neranjan Thilakarathne, Muhammad, Abas, P. E., & Yassin, H. (2025). Internet of Things Enabled Smart Agriculture: Current Status, Latest Advancements, Challenges and Countermeasures. Heliyon, 11(3), e42136–e42136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e42136

Nur Azura, M., Khalid, K., & Norazira, M. (2021). Factors influencing the acceptance of smart farming technologies (SFTs) among youth in higher learning institutions. IvySci Journal.

epazz, sadaf. (2022, April 18). How is Drone Technology Changing Smart Farming and Plantation? ZenaDrone Homepage. https://www.zenadrone.com/how-is-drone-technology-changing-smart-farming-and-plantation/

 

Disediakan oleh

Puan Noor Ashira Binti Yusran

Pegawai Perkhidmatan Pendidikan

Email: ashira@upm.edu.my

 

Date of Input: 16/12/2025 | Updated: 16/12/2025 | hasniah