Accra:Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu announced that preparations for the 2028 Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism (MAHA) Exhibition will commence in January 2027. The preparations will include proposed improvements from post-evaluation sessions to ensure optimal government expenditure outcomes.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad emphasized the importance of improving the readiness of the MAHA venue to ensure facilities operate at their best. He stressed the need for enhanced cooperation among agricultural agencies, other ministries, state governments, industry players, stakeholders, and international partners to maximize the benefits of hosting MAHA and contribute to the national agro-food sector's development.
Mohamad spoke at the MAHA 2026 Appreciation Ceremony, which acknowledged the efforts of those who contributed to the event held from August 28 to September 6. MAHA 2026 saw an attendance of over five million visitors and generated sales exceeding RM73 million. It also resulted in the signing of 97 memorandums of understanding worth over RM10.35 billion, surpassing the set targets.
He highlighted the involvement of two million youths during MAHA 2026 as a positive sign for the agro-food sector's future. Mohamad advocated for the continuation of youth entrepreneurship and industry-led mentoring programs introduced during the exhibition to encourage young people's participation in the sector.
In terms of international trade, Mohamad noted the necessity for Malaysia to strengthen agricultural ties with African countries and explore broader cooperation with Central Asian nations. He reiterated that increasing the use of local food products for both domestic consumption and export remains a government priority.
The minister pointed out that while Malaysia's food exports grew by over RM5 billion in 2024, food imports and raw materials for food production still exceeded RM90 billion. He called on relevant agencies to enhance their capabilities in research, marketing, and commercialization to boost the competitiveness of local agricultural products. These agencies include the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA), Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA), and the National Farmers Organisation (NAFAS).
Mohamad concluded by stating the government's continued commitment to increasing allocations to support these agencies' needs, particularly in research that yields long-term economic benefits. He added that successfully commercialized research findings could generate long-term profits and enhance the country's agricultural and food exports.