With the help of artificial intelligence and, in the near future, drones, Aquaville Asia hopes to become the world’s first aquaponics farm where subscribers can nurture actual crops through their phones.

Feeling like kale this week but kangkung the next? No problem, just tap on your screen and come harvest day, you will be greeted at your doorstep with fresh greens harvested from your own aquaponic plot.

That’s the plan, at least – but for the time being, the concept is already in motion where subscribers can get five packs of vegetables delivered four times a month, with optional tilapia fish.

Aquaville founder Chia Weng Yan tells FMT that the idea came to him in the middle of the night. “I dreamt about it and jotted down ‘FarmVille in real life’,” the 40-year-old says.

“I created a pitch deck for it thinking it was a great idea, but didn’t execute it and kept it on my computer for a long time,” he adds, explaining that he struggled to find someone with the technological know-how to make his literal dream a reality.

Then, in July last year, Chia found the perfect person for the job.

Loke Chung Eng had posted on Facebook about robotics and projects involving IOT, or “internet of things”, a network of physical objects embedded with sensors, software and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data.

A phone call later and Chia had joined forces with Loke, 33, to create Aquaville Asia. The duo worked for months on the concept.

While Loke spent time programming the AI system, Chia reached out to urban farmers, friends and family members to get them on board.

The duo forged an alliance with AHA Services Malaysia, a farm run by urban agriculturalists who provide Aquaville with all their farming requirements, including maintenance, harvest and delivery of fresh produce to subscribers.

Chia and Loke leave the farming to these experts and do their share by equipping the farm with Aquaville’s AI technology.

“We provide them with smart-farm capabilities so if any subscriptions come in, they are ready to harvest and deliver the produce,” Chia explains.

He adds that using AI, Loke created a way to spot diseases in crops using an NDVI camera that scans vegetables at different wavelengths “so you know if they are dying ahead of time”.

The AI system can even monitor pH levels, humidity, heat and water levels. All their crops are pesticide-free.

Aquaville was officially launched in January this year, and subscribers have been effusive about how lush and crisp their vegetables are, compared with those bought in a store.

Some customers have also funnelled their harvests to the needy, among them three companies that donated to a special-needs home in Petaling Jaya – sending bundles of fresh greens to feed 74 children between January and June – as well as contributed towards the white flag movement.

In the near future, Chia and Loke aim to introduce an application and drone system that will swoop over crops and capture real-time footage. Subscribers will be able to monitor their greens and control them through the app.

Additionally, the duo hope to empower the less fortunate and provide deaf, mute and B40 families with job opportunities on the farm.

It may take a few years for this FarmVille dream to fully become a reality, but the Aquaville innovators are hopeful and looking forward to a bright and greener future.

For fresh produce at your door each week or to help the needy, contact Aquaville Asia via Facebook or check out their website.