Langkawi, Kedah – The 7^th International Conference on Agricultural and Food Engineering (CAFEi 2025), held from 25 to 28 August 2025 at Adya Hotel, Langkawi, marked a historic milestone as it became a premier platform for forging strategic collaborations and driving innovation in Malaysia’s agri-food sector. With the theme “Cultivating Resilient Agrifood Systems for a Changing World,” the conference, chaired by Professor Ir. Dr. Hasfalina Che Man, attracted more than 160 participants from multiple countries. The discussions centered on global challenges such as climate change, food security, and technological transformation in agriculture.

The opening ceremony was officiated by UPM Vice-Chancellor, YBhg. Dato’ Professor Ir. Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah. The event was further distinguished by the launch of a landmark publication, Smart Technology for Oil Palm Plantation: The Malaysian Experience, jointly developed by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). Edited by Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Norhashila Hashim from the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering and MPOB Director-General, Datuk Dr. Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir, the book emphasizes the role of smart technologies including genetics, mechanization, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) in enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of Malaysia’s palm oil industry.

The conference also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UPM and IPMA Industry Sdn. Bhd., a leading Malaysian manufacturer of rice milling and processing machinery. The MoU was signed by UPM’s Vice-Chancellor and IPMA’s Managing Director, Mr. Ong Kheng Teong, underscoring a shared commitment to advancing rice processing technologies, collaborative research, knowledge exchange, and industry training opportunities.

A key initiative under this partnership is the establishment of the UPM-IPMA Biomaterial Processing Laboratory as a joint R&D hub. Previous collaborations include a TRGS research project, the donation of processing machinery worth over RM205,000, sponsorship of CAFEi 2025, and participation as an industry evaluator. The new MoU sets the stage for expanded industrial training programs, workshops, and the creation of a UPM satellite lab at IPMA facilities, strengthening innovation capacity and producing highly skilled graduates. On the first day, a special forum titled “Adoption of Innovations in Agri-Tech for a Sustainable Future” was held, alongside more than 130 oral and poster presentations, with selected manuscripts being considered for publication in high-impact journals. This reinforced CAFEi’s reputation as a globally influential platform for advancing agricultural and food engineering knowledge.

Overall, CAFEi 2025 successfully showcased UPM’s leadership in fostering innovation through the launch of the smart oil palm technology book and the UPM–IPMA MoU signing, highlighting the university’s continuous commitment with its partners to strengthen innovation, sustainability, and the international competitiveness of Malaysia’s agri-food sector.

Figure 1: Opening ceremony of CAFEi 2025

Figure 2: Book launch event at CAFEi 2025

Figure 3: MoU exchange between UPM and IPMA Industry Sdn. Bhd.

Figure 4: Industry sponsor exhibition visit

Figure 5: Forum discussion session

Figure 6: Participants attending the CAFEi 2025 opening ceremony

Date of Input: 08/09/2025 | Updated: 17/09/2025 | puteriamirah