Bernas Pioneers ‘Rakan Tani’ To Transform Malaysia’s Rice Industry With AI Co-Pilot

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Malaysia’s rice industry has entered a new era as Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas) launches Project ‘Rakan Tani’, a WhatsApp-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) co-pilot created to support paddy farmers through every stage of cultivation.

Developed with the Ministry of Digital’s National AI Office (NAIO), the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), and The Hive’s Global AI Village, the initiative represents the first AI tool of its kind for Malaysia’s agrofood sector. It brings the government’s ‘AI untuk Rakyat’ vision directly into the hands of farmers, who are at the centre of national food security.

As custodian of Malaysia’s rice supply, Bernas is leading the push to integrate AI into agriculture, ensuring adoption begins with those who grow the nation’s staple crop. Backed by its nationwide network and decades of cultivation expertise, Bernas has designed Rakan Tani to be farmer-friendly, culturally relevant and easily accessible.

Accessible via WhatsApp in both Bahasa Malaysia and English — with other local languages to follow — the AI co-pilot functions as an expert advisor in every farmer’s pocket. It provides real-time, hyper-personalised guidance on soil and crop fertility, pest, disease and weed management. Recommendations are tailored to individual field conditions based on location, paddy variety and crop stage, and are aligned with Bernas’ Jadual Kerja Ladang (JKL) standards.

“This is more than technology. It’s about securing our food future,” Bernas said in a statement. “We are committed to equipping farmers with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive, while ensuring Malaysia’s rice industry remains strong and sustainable.”

Sam Majid, Head of the National AI Office, noted that Rakan Tani embodies Malaysia’s AI Nation vision under the National AI Action Plan. “It directly addresses the agrofood sector as a key focus area, proving that AI is a force for socioeconomic transformation. By bringing intelligence directly to our farmers’ fingertips, we are strengthening food security and improving livelihoods while building a resilient, technology-powered future for all Malaysians.”