As Malaysia accelerates its digital transformation, settlers of the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) must not be left behind in the push to build a digital nation.
This includes equipping settlers and their family members with the necessary knowledge and tools to boost digital literacy and ensure they adopt and adapt to the latest technology in their daily lives.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has repeatedly urged the nation to embrace new technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), which is now used across all sectors – from agriculture to education, healthcare, and entertainment.
The Madani government had also allocated RM10 million to establish the National AI Office, launched in December 2024, to serve as a central hub for all AI-related initiatives in the country.
To bridge the gap and ensure no one is left behind in Malaysia's digital era, there is hope that the government will invest in strengthening digital literacy among those living in Felda settlements and upskill them in AI.
That would be a much-welcomed announcement for Felda settlers and their families as Hari Peneroka Felda 2025 begins today and runs until Aug 3 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) in Kuala Lumpur. This year’s main highlight is Mega Karnival 3 Dimensi, jointly organised by Felda, the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, and the Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry.
Anwar is scheduled to attend the event on Aug 2 – with hopes that the prime minister will announce some form of allocation to kick-start the digital upskilling initiative.
Why upskilling matters
Felda has played a pivotal role in Malaysia’s socio-economic development for decades. Its settlers have long been the backbone of the agricultural economy, particularly in palm oil and rubber.
But as the world transitions to a digital economy driven by data, automation, and AI, Felda communities risk being left behind unless concrete steps are taken to upskill them.
Investing in digital and AI literacy is no longer optional – it is necessary. Traditional agriculture faces disruptions from climate change, fluctuating commodity prices, and global trade uncertainties. At the same time, innovation has opened new doors for productivity and efficiency.
For Felda communities, upskilling is not just about learning to use a mobile device. It means empowering them with skills and tools to improve crop yields using AI-based precision agriculture, manage finances with digital apps, explore new income streams such as e-commerce or content creation, and enable the younger generation to compete in the modern job market.
Digital and AI training within Felda schemes can also create ecosystems that retain talent and revitalise rural areas. Imagine settlers using drones to monitor crop health or applying machine learning to optimise fertiliser use. There would be opportunities to develop agri-tech startups or for youth to work remotely in tech fields while staying close to their families.
To catalyse this transformation, a seed fund – perhaps RM10 million – could get the ball rolling. This includes:
Launching AI and digital literacy programmes in collaboration with higher learning institutions, tech companies, and industry players
Providing infrastructure and tools such as high-speed internet, communal digital labs, and affordable devices
Offering scholarships, microgrants for tech-based farming, and career pathways in digital fields
Supporting women and youth, who are often underrepresented in agri-tech but possess significant potential
Other “goodies” that may benefit Felda settlers include diesel subsidies and matching grants for replanting, as new crops take years to mature before harvesting.
But digital education will go a long way in creating a digitally savvy workforce – with Felda potentially playing a major role in powering Malaysia’s digital economy.
For more information about this year’s event, visit: https://2025.segalanyafelda.com/
