Chor Chee Hoe, co-founder of Qarbotech, talks about how carbon-based innovations are changing the face of farming and ensuring a greener, more productive future
Qarbotech is a Malaysian-based agritech startup on a mission to revolutionise agriculture through innovative nanotechnology, promote sustainable farming practices, combat climate change and work towards eliminating world hunger. The company was co-founded in 2018 by Chor Chee Hoe, Prof Suraya Abdul Rashid and Amirul Merican, who are fully committed to their cause.
The company’s flagship product, QarboGrow, is the world’s first patented photosynthesis enhancement technology. With its capacity to increase crop yields by up to 20 per cent, the biocompatible product increases farming efficiency with quicker turnaround times and improved produce quality. Depending on the crops and other factors, QarboGrow can also increase yields by up to 60 per cent, bringing society closer to food security.
Read more about Chor Chee Hoe on Gen.T
Chor, who is the CEO of Qarbotech, admits his path into the agritech industry wasn’t linear, “but sustainability and making a tangible impact on communities have always been close to my heart.” With 12 years of experience in the aviation industry, Chor honed a strong foundation in engineering and technology. Still, his passion for “innovation with purpose” ultimately led to Qarbotech’s founding. “The name ‘Qarbotech’ reflects our commitment to carbon-based technologies,” Chor explains.
As an asthmatic child, the importance of clean air was not lost on Chor, who describes meeting Prof Suraya as life-changing. “Prof Suraya had developed a technology that could enhance plants’ ability to release more oxygen and contribute to cleaner air. I felt a personal connection [to her work]—it was almost like a calling,” Chor says.
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Chor Chee Hoe with fellow Qarbotech co-founders Prof Suraya Abdul Rashid and Amirul Merican
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The Birth of QarboGrow
Developing QarboGrow took years of research and testing. Chor notes, “From concept to realisation, it took around five years to fine-tune the technology,” he notes. Making it user-friendly for farmers while also making sure it was biocompatible and scalable were some of the main obstacles. “Overcoming regulatory hurdles and optimising the formulation for different crops were other significant obstacles.”
QarboGrow’s technology improves photosynthesis by using carbon quantum dots that act like chlorophyll, allowing plants to absorb more light and grow faster. This technology is intended to make crops more resilient and productive in the face of climate change, which has significantly impacted traditional farming methods. Chor elaborates, “QarboGrow helps improve crop resilience to environmental stresses like drought or excessive heat. By enhancing photosynthesis, plants can grow better even in suboptimal conditions, ensuring more reliable yields despite the challenges of changing weather patterns.”
