PUTRAJAYA: Memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed in conjunction with the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (Maha) 2026 have reached RM12.6bil, surpassing the initial RM8bil target, says Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
He said the achievement was driven in part by investment commitments from China amounting to RM4 billion, while the National Farmers Organisation (Nafas) contributed RM1.5bil specifically to develop Malaysia's fertiliser industry.
"Our original target for MoUs was RM8bil, but we have now passed RM12.6bil. This demonstrates high investor confidence in the nation's agriculture and agrofood industry.
"We hope this momentum continues tomorrow, as the response to Maha this time has been extraordinary, and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will officiate the closing ceremony on Sunday (Sept 6),” he told a press conference after attending the closing ceremony of the Maha 2026 Convention here on Saturday (Sept 5).
The two-day convention, which began on Friday (Sept 4), was attended by 200 participants comprising farmers, livestock breeders, fishermen, and young agropreneurs, focusing on the latest technological developments in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and the food industry.
Besides MoUs, Mohamad said Maha 2026 had attracted 3.45 million visitors as of 10 pm yesterday, with over 690,000 vehicles entering the 30-acre Malaysia Agriculture Expo Park Serdang (Maeps).
On sales figures, he said total sales had exceeded RM55mil and were on track to reach the RM58mil target by the final day on Sunday, driven by strong sales across state pavilions.
Meanwhile, Mohamad expressed pride in youth involvement, particularly Bumiputera youths entering modern agriculture full-time in sectors such as fisheries, livestock, and pineapple cultivation.
"We want them to make these sectors their primary source of livelihood and continue empowering national food security. Syabas to LPP (Farmers' Organisation Authority) for their continuous efforts in guiding and assisting these new talents,” he said.
Commenting on the agrofood trade deficit, Mohamad said his ministry was focusing on narrowing the gap between national agricultural exports and imports based on data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
"Our agricultural import value is currently very high, exceeding RM70bil, with a significant export gap. Therefore, I will make a special announcement tomorrow on steps to boost the country's agricultural exports,” he said.
Mohamad also advised all Agro Award recipients not to merely take pride in their recognition, but to demonstrate their capabilities through serious, high-impact involvement in the agrofood industry.
Meanwhile, Best Agropreneur award recipient Khirul Nizam Tan, who runs Laman Zulfakar Sdn Bhd, expressed gratitude for the recognition after more than 10 years in the livestock sector in Ipoh, Perak.
"I started with cattle and goat farming and have now expanded to deer. I also expanded company operations into various downstream activities such as fresh meat processing, ready-to-eat products, and agrotourism services,” said Khirul Nizam, who received an RM15,000 cash prize.
He said his success was driven by continuous support from government agencies and financing from Agrobank, adding that he was selected this year for the Agrobank Contract Farming programme with over RM3mil in financing to mentor 30 mentees in livestock farming.
The Agro Award ceremony also recognised 12 other industry players, including Lee Huat Seng (Rasa Pitaya Enterprise) as Best Young Agropreneur, Johar Mad Othman as Best Fisherman, Pak Ali Food Industries Sdn Bhd as Best Agrofood Marketer, and Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan Jerantut as Best Farmers' Organisation. — Bernama
