Serdang: The Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2026 made history after achieving and surpassing most of the targets set by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM). Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu announced that MAHA 2026, which began on August 28, had recorded about 4.3 million visitors, including 1.7 million youths, as of yesterday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad expressed confidence that visitor numbers would exceed five million by 10 pm, surpassing the initial target of four million. Meanwhile, the exhibition attracted participation from 2,000 local and international exhibitors. The minister shared these achievements during his speech at the MAHA 2026 closing ceremony, officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS).

The exhibition also recorded RM66.88 million in sales, surpassing the target of RM58 million. Additionally, memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed, involving strategic collaborations and potential investments amounting to approximately RM10.3 billion, exceeding the RM8 billion target.

Mohamad emphasized that MAHA 2026 marked the beginning of renewed efforts to transform the agriculture sector rather than the conclusion. He highlighted the importance of following up on agreements, technology partnerships, and ideas generated during the exhibition to ensure that benefits reach farmers, breeders, fishermen, and consumers.

For future editions of MAHA, Mohamad expressed hope that the platform would continue to grow as a leading regional agri-food innovation hub. He emphasized the need for increased youth participation and the involvement of highly skilled talent in the agricultural ecosystem, aligning with the goal of building a self-reliant, resilient nation with secure food supplies.

Additionally, Mohamad reported a 26.4 percent reduction in the country's agri-food trade deficit up to May this year. Exports increased by 8.1 percent to RM58.8 billion, while imports declined by 1.1 percent to RM92.7 billion compared to the same period last year.