Executive Summary
Braintree Technologies, a Malaysian agritech company operating farms in Selangor at Sungai Tangkas, Bangi and Olak Lempit, Dengkil, applied QarboGrow™ as part of an integrated crop management approach, together with JADAM-based natural farming practices, to address recurring challenges in the farming of the Sakata 461 chill variant, which includes, heavy pest and disease pressure driving pesticide dependency, short post-harvest shelf life, and inconsistent Grade A output.
Results demonstrated:-
- Improved photosynthetic efficiency (CO₂ assimilation +21%), stronger stomatal conductance (+33.9%), reduced transpiration (-25%), and higher intrinsic water use efficiency (+14.7%).
- Yield increased by ~19.4% (8,200 kg vs 6,870 kg per 0.8-acre plot), while quality shifted upward based on field observations.
- Profitability of the treated plot achieved a 75.7% increase in Grade A revenue and a 37.9% lift in total revenue.
- Chemical pesticide costs dropped by 73.8%, total chemical-related expenses, after factoring cost of QarboGrow™, fell by 68.8%.
- Net profit increased by 144.3%, total operating costs declined by 11.6%.
Introduction
Braintree Technologies is a Malaysian agritech company founded to empower farmers through intelligent technology and automation, bridging physical farm operations with digital intelligence via robotics, AI, data analytics, and practical farm-ready systems. The company operates farms where solutions are applied and tested under real conditions.
This case study evaluates the effectiveness of QarboGrow™ on chilli at Braintree Technology’s Farm in Kajang, Selangor. The farm, supervised by Manager, Mr Syazwan Sofian (Farm Manager).
Problem Statement
Several persistent constraints limiting consistent premium chilli performance. These include. Rising insect and disease leading to increased pesticide dependency.
Rapid spoilage and post-harvest losses due to short shelf life. Only ~60% of harvested produce meeting Grade A standards (Grade A at RM8.00/kg; Grade B – RM4.00/kg).
Plant physiology where less green leaves (weaker chlorophyll development/photosynthetic activity) and thinner leaf structure with weaker cell walls, increasing vulnerability to insect penetration and fungal infection.
| Side BarWhat is considered a Grade A chilli? Grade A chillies are defined as fruits that exhibit a uniform bright red colour. The skin must be smooth, glossy, and free from wrinkles, pest damage, fungal infection, bruising, or mechanical injury. The fruit should be firm to the touch, with a fresh green calyx and stem, and meet acceptable post-harvest moisture standards.In Malaysia, the typical farm-gate selling price for Grade A chillies ranges between RM 6.00 and RM 10.00 per kilogram, depending on seasonality and supply conditions. Grade B chillies generally sell at approximately half the price of Grade A, typically between RM 3.00 and RM 5.00 per kilogram.At Braintree Technologies, prior to the application of QarboGrow™, the distribution of Grade A and Grade B yield was approximately equal, at 50% each. Following the integration of QarboGrow™ into the crop management program, the proportion of Grade A output increased significantly to 78%, demonstrating a substantial improvement in marketable premium yield. |
Mr Syazwan Sofian, Braintree Technologies, Farm Manager, on the challenges the farm is facing.
‘Maintaining consistent premium-quality chillies has been one of our biggest challenges since we began farming in 2019. It’s not simple. We observed rising insect and disease pressure over time. We had to use more pesticides to protect the crops, which raised our expenses and complicated our operations. However, despite that effort, the outcomes remained uneven. Post-harvest losses were another significant problem.
The shelf life of the chillies was short. They would quickly soften or deteriorate, particularly when handled and transported. Only about 60% of our harvest was able to continuously meet Grade A standards as a result. The remainder would go to Grade B, which costs about RM4 per kilogram, nearly half as much as Grade A, which costs RM8. That price gap really affects overall farm income.
As a farmer, what we really want is simple healthier plants, stronger leaves, longer shelf life, and more consistent Grade A output. Because at the end of the day, higher Grade A percentage directly translates into better income and sustainability for the farm.”
QarboGrow™ Application
Preamble
Braintree Technologies shares a similar mission with Qarbotech, that both companies are committed to solving agricultural challenges through innovative, science-driven strategies. We frequently crossed paths at industry booths, agricultural exhibitions, and sustainable agriculture competitions, where both organisations showcased our respective technologies.
Braintree focuses primarily on robotics and crop cultivation systems, while Qarbotech specialises in enhancing crop performance through improved photosynthetic efficiency. Although our technological approaches differ, our objectives are aligned: to increase farm productivity, sustainability, and profitability.
Recognising this alignment, Arif Makhdzir, the CEO of Braintree decided to explore the use of a locally developed solution to strengthen farm performance. The decision was driven by the goal of increasing yield quality and improving overall farm income.
Braintree became one of the earliest adopters to place trust in QarboGrow™, recognising its potential to benefit agricultural productivity not only in Malaysia but globally. The collaboration officially began in July 2024, and since then, the partnership has continued to strengthen through ongoing field implementation and performance monitoring.
Braintree implemented an integrated crop management approach combining QarboGrow™ with JADAM-based natural farming practices. JADAM is a South Korean natural farming method emphasising locally sourced, low-cost microbial and botanical inputs to strengthen soil biology and plant health while reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals.
QarboGrow™ was applied to enhance photosynthetic efficiency by supporting chlorophyll development—driving greener leaves, stronger vegetative growth, thicker leaves, and improved cell wall development (reducing susceptibility to insect feeding and fungal penetration). LI-6800 Portable Photosynthesis System by LI-COR is photosynthesis measurements were used to quantitatively assess physiological change under field conditions.
In parallel, JADAM inputs supported pest and disease management through natural formulations, reducing the frequency of synthetic pesticide use while maintaining crop protection. Practically, this shifted the farm’s focus from reactive control to proactive resilience-building—without disrupting existing routines.
Results
Plant Physiology
LI-COR measurements confirmed meaningful improvements in photosynthetic performance. Treated plants showed higher CO₂ assimilation (+21%) and stomatal conductance (+33.9%), alongside reduced transpiration (-25%), leading to improved intrinsic water use efficiency (+14.7%). In operational terms, plants captured and converted more CO₂ into sugars while managing water loss more effectively. This supports healthier plant growth and stronger resilience under field conditions.
Yield
At the plot level (0.8 acre), total chilli yield increased in the treated plot to 8,200 kg versus 6,870 kg in the control, an improvement of approximately 19.4%.
Quality and Post-Harvest Performance
Field observations indicated a strong quality shift: Grade A proportion improved from ~60% to ~80%, and post-harvest shelf life extended from 2 days to up to 4 days under normal handling conditions.
This quality uplift is also expressed clearly in Grade A output volume and revenue. The treated plot produced 6,396 kg of Grade A chillies versus 3,641 kg in the control, generating RM51,168 at RM8/kg, 75.7% higher than the control’s RM29,128.
Input Efficiency
With stronger plant health and improved natural resistance, pesticide application frequency reduced from daily spraying to once every two days, lowering labour burden while maintaining protection.
| Side Bar: LI-COR is a scientific instrument used to measure plant photosynthesis and overall physiological performance in real time under field conditions. It helps quantify how efficiently a plant converts light and carbon dioxide into energy, allowing researchers to scientifically assess whether a treatment improves photosynthetic activity, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate. In this project, QarboGrow™ was applied as a foliar spray. The product was diluted in water (for example, at approximately 1:500 ratio) and sprayed evenly onto the leaf surface using a knapsack or motorised sprayer. Applications were carried out during the early morning or late afternoon to maximise absorption and minimise heat stress. The treatment was integrated into the farm’s regular crop management schedule and applied at key growth stages to support plant vigour, improve leaf strength, and enhance overall crop performance. QarboGrow™ is a plant performance enhancer designed to improve photosynthetic efficiency and overall crop vitality. Rather than acting as a pesticide or fertiliser replacement, it works by strengthening plant physiological processes — enhancing chlorophyll development, supporting stronger leaf structure, and improving the plant’s ability to convert light energy into biomass. This leads to improved crop quality, resilience, and yield consistency |
What is the ROI achieved?
The economic outcome reinforced a key point: profitability improved without extending growing duration or increasing operational effort.
Chilli cultivation typically follows a growing cycle of approximately 4 to 5 months from transplanting to final harvest, with multiple harvest rounds occurring throughout the fruiting period. Because chilli is harvested progressively, improvements in plant health and fruit quality have a cumulative effect across the entire production cycle.
After adopting QarboGrow™, Braintree recorded clear agronomic and financial gains within a single growing cycle. Total yield increased by 19.4%, while Grade A yield and revenue rose by 75.7%, shifting more produce into the premium category. At the same time, pesticide costs were reduced by 73.8%, and overall chemical-related costs (including QarboGrow™) fell by 68.8%. As a result, total revenue improved by 37.9%, operating costs decreased by 11.6%, and net profit increased by 144.3%.
If the same protocol is maintained in the next cycle, the farmer can expect continued Grade A consistency, stronger plant performance, and more stable income, significantly improving cash flow in a tight-margin farming environment.
Conclusion, Proof of Possibilities
This case study demonstrates a practical pathway to more resilient chilli production: improve plant efficiency first, and performance follows. By strengthening photosynthesis and overall plant health, Braintree increased both yield and premium-grade output without extending the growing period or adding operational complexity.
Just as importantly, the integrated QarboGrow™ and JADAM approach reduced reliance on frequent chemical interventions, lowering input costs while supporting longer-term sustainability; and because it fit existing farm routines, it remained practical for adoption at farm level.
Glossary
JADAM is a South Korean natural farming method emphasising locally sourced, low-cost microbial and botanical inputs to strengthen soil biology and plant health while reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals.
