This review paper synthesizes two emerging paradigms in sustainable agriculture: Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled urban vertical agriculture and drought-tolerant pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) cultivation, particularly the innovative RHB 273 hybrid. Drawing from recent conceptual and empirical research, this paper examines how technological innovation in controlled-environment agriculture and genetic advances in arid-land crops can collectively address the intersecting challenges of food security, climate change, youth disengagement from agriculture, and the demands of Industry 4.0. The review analyzes the ESP32 microcontroller-based IoT systems for vertical hydroponic agriculture as proposed for Malaysian contexts and compares these with the physiological and genetic drought-adaptation mechanisms of pearl millet developed for semi-arid tropics. Key findings suggest that while urban vertical agriculture offers high-density, technology-driven solutions for metropolitan areas, pearl millet provides a low-input, climate-resilient option for marginal rural lands. The paper proposes an integrated framework combining these approaches within Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) curricula to foster intergenerational learning, community engagement, and sustainable food systems. Policy recommendations include standardization of vertical hydroponic systems, enhanced marketing channels for community gardens, and expanded cultivation of biofortified drought-tolerant varieties across climate-vulnerable regions.