MAHA 2026 Preparations 80 Per Cent Complete, Fully Ready By Aug 27 - Mohamad Sabu

SERDANG, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- Preparations for the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2026 are about 80 per cent complete and expected to be fully ready by Aug 27, a day before the exhibition opens to the public, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

He said the main infrastructure at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) had been completed, with the remaining work mainly involving preparations and the installation of items at the exhibition areas.

“On Aug 28, we will see how beautiful and impressive the exhibition venue is this year,” he said at a press conference after inspecting preparations for MAHA with the media today.

He said MAHA 2026, to be held from Aug 28 to Sept 6, would showcase efforts to modernise the agriculture sector through technology and innovation, in line with the theme ‘Penciptaan Nilai Demi Keterjaminan Makanan’, with Mohamad officiating the opening and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim the closing ceremony on Sept 6.

He added that the technologies to be showcased included modern agricultural machinery and automated vehicles, as well as the increasingly widespread use of drones in agricultural activities such as paddy, pineapple and melon cultivation.

“This is also in line with the technologies we see in countries such as China, Holland and others, where agricultural practices are already highly modernised,” he said.

Mohamad said this year’s MAHA also emphasised the importance of the value chain in the agri-food sector, so that farmers and livestock breeders would not only produce raw materials but also take advantage of downstream activities that offer higher added value.

He cited products such as milk, pineapple and cassava, which could be processed into various products, thereby creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs to participate in the agricultural industry value chain.

“Dozens of types (of products) can be produced, but they need to know what they are growing and, if possible, they should be involved in downstream processing,” he said.

He added that MAHA 2026 would also feature Perkampungan Abang Mat, which would showcase ‘rewang’ (communal cooking activities), food heritage and traditional cuisine, as well as traditional games throughout the 10-day event.

“The programmes at the village will be arranged each day differently to provide visitors with a relaxed and informative experience,” he said.

Various leisurely activities for the whole family had also been planned, including traditional games such as congkak, giving visitors, particularly senior citizens, an opportunity to relax.

Visitors would also have the chance to participate in daily lucky draws offering various prizes, including two motorcycles a day, totalling 20 motorcycles throughout the 10-day event, as well as electrical appliances as consolation prizes.

He said MAHA 2026 was expected to attract more than four million visitors and bring together about 2,000 exhibitors from Malaysia and abroad, including participants from 14 countries.

“Kenya will set up a pavilion for the first time. The international participation also provides an opportunity for the countries involved to showcase their respective technologies and explore cooperation with Malaysia,” he said, adding that MAHA 2026 was also expected to attract about 800,000 youths through programmes on automation, technology and agricultural modernisation.

Mohamad said his ministry was also seeking approval from the Education Ministry to involve school students in MAHA activities through co-curricular programmes.

-- BERNAMA