Jobs in Singapore: “How I’m using AI to ensure sustainable food production across Asia”

R Mahkeswaran is an AI Product Developer at Japfa, a leading multinational agrifood company focused on producing essential proteins for markets across Asia. Headquartered in Singapore, the company supplies poultry, swine, aquaculture, beef, and other protein products to fast-growing markets in Asia. In 2025, Japfa launched an AI & Quantum Computing Centre of Excellence in Singapore to apply advanced technologies such as AI, data science, and quantum computing to livestock farming and food production. Japfa is also collaborating with the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and Nanyang Polytechnic (NP) to advance applied AI research, develop innovative solutions, and cultivate future talent through specialised training programmes.
 

1. Tell us more about what Japfa does, and what a typical day is like for you?

Japfa is one of Asia’s largest livestock companies that operates on a fully farm-to-table model, covering everything from animal feed and livestock breeding to rearing and delivering safe, nutritious protein — including chicken, pork, beef, and fish — to millions across the region. We are headquartered in Singapore with operations in fast-growing markets like Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. To give a clearer sense of the company’s scale, Japfa supplies around 20% of staple proteins in its key markets through an integrated end-to-end value chain.

What sets Japfa apart from other livestock companies is our longstanding culture of innovation, which is aimed at developing practical solutions to produce food more efficiently and sustainably. Today, this innovation is increasingly supported by digitalisation and deep tech that help improve performance.

As an AI Product Developer at Japfa, my role is to build AI tools that help operators and managers to streamline workflows, boost efficiency, and support better decision-making. I’m currently working on the application of computer vision and AI tools to assist in the quality classification of chicken carcasses along the processing lines.

A typical workday usually involves a mix of research into new AI methodologies that are being developed in the market, speaking with end-users to understand their real-life needs and constraints, and designing and developing AI tools for specific use cases.

2. What sparked your interest in food sustainability and what led you to Japfa?

My interest in food sustainability stemmed from personal hobbies like gardening and keeping aquariums. I combined these interests by developing a home aquaponics system for my final-year project as an engineering undergraduate. Around that time, I also learned more about Singapore’s focus on high-tech farming to ensure food security and sustainability. This inspired me to continue pursuing research in this area as a Research Engineer at SIT, where I could contribute to the creation of sustainable food systems in Singapore.

One of the more memorable projects I worked on at SIT involved designing and developing a multi-looped aquaponics system, where fish and vegetables grow together in a symbiotic environment. This system integrated low-power Internet of Things (IoT) technology and semi-transparent solar panels to improve energy efficiency, and waste generated from the system was processed through a black soldier fly culture, which in turn produced larvae that could be fed back to the fish, closing the loop. Another key project I worked on focused on designing and developing an intelligent, sustainable farm inside a 20-foot shipping container. The container integrated an aquaponics system capable of producing both fish and vegetables simultaneously, supported by technology such as IoT and solar panels, allowing for remote monitoring and self-sustainability. Furthermore, the modular design allowed the system to be easily dismantled, moved, and set up quickly, making it scalable and flexible for different scenarios.

Towards the end of my research work at SIT, I started exploring how machine learning and AI could be integrated and applied to analytics for fish and vegetable growth. This sparked a deeper interest in AI technology and its potential to solve operational issues in food production. Around that time, I got to know Japfa’s Chief Digitalisation Officer, Mr. Eu Kwang Chin, and learned more about Japfa’s progressive and innovative approach towards integrating AI into food production at scale. The company’s focus on high-tech farming strongly resonated with my research interests, so I decided to join Japfa full-time and pursue an Industrial Doctorate at SIT concurrently. In my current role, I’m able to continue developing my skills in an applied, industrial setting, while accelerating innovation through collaborations between industry and academic institutes like SIT.

3.  Why is lifelong learning so important to you, and what are some lessons you’ve picked up in your time at Japfa?

The short answer is I genuinely enjoy learning. Studying feeds my curiosity in a productive and structured manner, and pursuing a doctorate helps me build the skills and confidence I need to work in a fast-evolving field like AI.

At Japfa, one of the lessons I’ve learned is the importance of understanding the real requirements and constraints faced by operators. Cutting-edge technology can be daunting for non-technical users, and sometimes, technical professionals tend to implement the latest technology without fully considering how well end-users will be able to adopt it. In my time at Japfa, I’ve learned to view solutions from the end-user’s perspective. My job as an AI product developer is hence to bridge that gap by making advanced technology intuitive and seamless for operators to use in their daily work.

Apart from that, one of the most valuable things I have gained from my engineering background is the ability to navigate unfamiliar environments. As engineers, we are trained to start with a clear problem statement and use the tools available to us to work towards a solution. This mindset helped a lot in my transition to AI, because by adopting a systems thinking approach, I was able to break down complex topics such as AI tools and solutions into smaller, interconnected parts and learn them in a more structured way.

4. Many people worry that AI will take over their jobs. As someone who uses AI as part of your daily work, what’s your take?

One of the biggest misconceptions I often hear about AI is that it will replace humans. In reality, AI is merely a tool. It is designed to support and assist our work by streamlining repetitive and laborious tasks, allowing people to focus on higher-level jobs that require judgement, context, and careful human decision-making or verification. When a work process can be automated by AI, it creates space for individuals to upskill, take on more responsibilities, and move into roles that involve oversight or management — things that AI cannot do.

This is also why continuous learning is so important. Staying current with how AI is being used and how it is changing the way we work can help reduce anxiety and make us feel less overwhelmed by rapid technological developments. One practical way to do this is through self-directed AI projects focused on personal or work-related cases. These projects make learning more approachable and even fun, while allowing individuals to build useful, future-relevant skills.

5. What advice do you have for young people on navigating an AI-driven future?

The application and possibilities of AI are endless. It is fascinating to see the many ways that AI can complement our lives and work. My advice to young professionals and graduates entering this field is to stay curious — spend time on self-directed projects, explore ideas that interest you, and don’t be afraid to tinker and experiment. Many meaningful innovations start as small personal projects, and who knows? What you build at home today could become the next big step forward tomorrow.