The launch took place at the Penang International Invention, Innovation and Design (PIID) 2025 Closing Ceremony, at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).
“Farmers deserve to see higher returns from the hard work they put into feeding nations,” said Chor Chee Hoe, CEO of Qarbotech. “With QarboGrowTM, we are showing that science can directly enrich farmers’ livelihoods while strengthening food systems.”
A Launchpad for Regional and Global Impact
Penang plays a critical role in Malaysia’s rice production, with nearly 13,000 hectares of rice cultivation fields forming part of Malaysia’s food security backbone.
Qarbotech partnered with the Penang State Government, Jabatan Pertanian, and Agensi Nuklear Malaysia to roll out a 2,000-hectare commercial-scale programme across Seberang Perai.
“The outcomes have been transformative. For smallholders, more rice means more security. The income from additional harvest can pay school fees, cover household expenses, or be reinvested into seeds and fertiliser. For many, it marked the difference between breaking even and moving ahead,” said Chor.
Farmers equally shared their excitement, “With QarboGrow, my paddy is looking greener, stronger, and taller. We are also seeing higher yields this season,” said En. Zul, a farmer from Kepala Batas, Penang.
“The paddy developed healthier leaves during the growth stage, resulting in better grain filling,” added En Fauzi from Sg Acheh, Penang.
“Stronger crops and higher farmer incomes go hand in hand,” Chor emphasised. “What excites us most is that Penang is proving how agricultural innovation can deliver both prosperity and sustainability.”
Beyond economic benefits, the programme also recorded a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram of rice produced, aligning Penang’s agricultural advancement with Malaysia’s broader climate commitments.
The Penang success builds on Qarbotech’s growing international track record. In Indonesia, Qarbotech has implemented a 450-hectare programme across Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi. Farmers reported yield increases of 13% in Sumatra, 19.4% in Java, and 32.8% in Sulawesi, demonstrating that QarboGrowTM delivers measurable results across different climates and soil conditions.
“These results prove that our technology is not limited to one geography or one type of farmer,” Chor said. “It is adaptable, scalable, and ready to uplift millions of smallholder farmers across Asia.”
A Rice Cultivation Win Farmers, Food and the Climate
Rice cultivation is often constrained by erratic weather, rising input costs, and limited land. QarboGrow™ overcomes these challenges by enhancing photosynthesis efficiency, enabling plants to capture more sunlight and convert it into energy for growth. The result: healthier crops, stronger yields, and improved productivity without expanding farmland.
“Every additional kilogram of rice produced through QarboGrow™ is achieved with lower emissions and better resilience,” said Chor. “That makes it a triple win—for food security, for farmers, and for the planet.”
The white paper details this threefold impact:
- Food Security – Across 2,500 hectares of trial plots, QarboGrow™ generated an additional 2,325 tonnes of rice—enough for 12 million servings.
- Farmer Livelihoods – The additional harvest brought farmers a combined USD 558,000 in extra income, averaging USD 223 per hectare.
- Climate Benefit – Increased efficiency reduced emissions by 9,230 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, equal to removing 2,000 cars from the road for a year.
White Paper Launch at PIID
The white paper was unveiled at the PIID 2025 Closing Ceremony, an event that brought together inventors, researchers, and innovators from across the region. Qarbotech is a Platinum sponsor for the PIID.
“We chose PIID 2025 in Penang as the platform for this launch because it represents the spirit of innovation and collaboration that Qarbotech stands for,” said Chor. “Our message is simple: let’s work together to give farmers the tools they need to thrive in a changing world.”
Call to Collaborate
Qarbotech invites ASEAN leaders and government agencies to collaborate in advancing photosynthesis enhancement technology as part of national and regional food security and climate strategies. We also welcome partnerships with universities, research institutions, and agricultural innovators to expand QarboGrowTM applications across more crops, ensuring Southeast Asia leads the way in building a resilient and sustainable agricultural system.
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