LABUAN: Ongoing geopolitical tensions, including the conflict in the Middle East, and the impact of the El Nino phenomenon underscore the need to strengthen food security as a national strategic priority, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said wars, climate change and supply chain disruptions had shown how global events could directly affect food production and the availability of essential food supplies.
"Food security is no longer an option but a strategic necessity," he said when launching Labuan's Road to MAHA 2026 programme here Saturday (July 25).
Mohamad said the government remained committed to strengthening the country's food security agenda despite global economic uncertainty, energy challenges and climate-related risks.
He said the Road to MAHA programme reflects the strategic collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Federal Territories Department in promoting the agri-food sector.
Mohamad said the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2026, to be held at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) from Aug 28 to Sept 6, will carry the theme "Value Creation for Food Security", with modernisation as its central focus.
He said the exhibition would showcase advanced technologies, including automation, robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), to accelerate the transformation of Malaysia's agriculture sector.
"We want to see agriculture evolve into a modern, technology-driven industry that is more productive, resilient and capable of ensuring sustainable food production for the nation," he said.
Mohamad said the nationwide Road to MAHA 2026 series is expected to boost public participation ahead of the exhibition, which aims to attract four million visitors and generate RM58 million in direct sales.
On Labuan, he said the island remains heavily dependent on imported food, with about 90 per cent of its supply sourced from Sabah and only 10 per cent produced locally.
He said the Covid-19 pandemic exposed weaknesses in Labuan's food supply chain, prompting the government to launch the Labuan Food Security Strategic Plan 2026-2030 to boost local production, improve logistics and encourage the adoption of modern agricultural technologies.
Mohamad also called on more young Malaysians to venture into agriculture, saying the country needs a new generation of agropreneurs to strengthen food security and expand the sector. - Bernama
