SERDANG: More than 1.8 million visitors thronged the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (Maha) 2026 in just three days, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu (pic).
The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said the event had also generated almost RM6mil in sales.
He said the ministry expects sales to reach at least RM58mil before the expo ends at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) on Sept 6.
Mohamad noted that about 184,000 vehicles had entered the expo grounds since the event began on Friday, resulting in traffic congestion.
He said steps were being taken to address the congestion, including adding more buggies and buses to ferry visitors around the sprawling grounds.
On a separate matter, Mohamad said the country should not become overly dependent on cheap imported rice, as geopolitical tensions could disrupt supplies and push up prices.
Although the country imports rice at relatively low prices, he said it could not rely on such imports indefinitely.
“We cannot depend on these imports forever.
“With the current geopolitical situation, anything can happen.
“If the shipment of rice comes to a halt at sea, we will face problems, especially if the import price rises,” he said at a press conference.
He also said local padi cultivation could not be ignored, as it was directly linked to the country’s food security.
Mohamad said steps were being taken to increase domestic padi production, including reopening idle padi fields.
“The government will assist in whatever way it can to reopen new padi fields for planting,” he added.
He said several new areas had already begun padi cultivation, including in Pekan, Pahang, and Selangor.
Earlier, Mohamad officiated the opening of Laman Padi, which showcases the country’s padi and rice ecosystem.
Laman Padi features exhibitions and sales, cooking demonstrations, padi-to-rice processing demonstrations, mechanisation and automation technology showcases, as well as traditional sports.
The minister also witnessed the presentation of a Malaysia Book of Records certificate for the “Largest Paddy Art Formation”, measuring 119ft by 126ft.
The record was achieved through a collaboration between the ministry and private-sector company Serba Wangi Sdn Bhd under its Jati brand.
