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, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said. He emphasized that wars, climate change, and supply chain disruptions have shown how global events can directly affect food production and the availability of essential food supplies.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad noted that food security is no longer an option but a strategic necessity. He made these remarks while launching Labuan's Road to MAHA 2026 programme. Mohamad assured that the government remains committed to enhancing the country's food security agenda despite global economic uncertainty, energy challenges, and climate-related risks.
He highlighted that the Road to MAHA programme exemplifies the strategic collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Federal Territories Department to promote the agri-food sector. Mohamad revealed that the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2026, scheduled to be held at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) from August 28 to September 6, will center around the theme 'Value Creation for Food Security', with a focus on modernisation.
The exhibition will showcase advanced technologies, such as automation, robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI), aimed at accelerating the transformation of Malaysia's agriculture sector. Mohamad expressed a vision of agriculture evolving into a modern, technology-driven industry that is more productive, resilient, and capable of ensuring sustainable food production for the nation.
The nationwide Road to MAHA 2026 series is anticipated to boost public participation ahead of the exhibition, which aims to attract four million visitors and generate RM58 million in direct sales. Regarding Labuan, Mohamad pointed out that the island is heavily reliant on imported food, with about 90 per cent of its supply sourced from Sabah and only 10 per cent produced locally.
He mentioned that 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. Furthermore, Mohamad called on more young Malaysians to venture into agriculture, emphasizing the need for a new generation of agropreneurs to strengthen food security and expand the sector.