BERNAS Brings Malaysia's Untold Rice Supply Story To Life At MAHA 2026

By Ahmad Erwan Othman

SERDANG, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS) is bringing the untold story behind Malaysia's national rice supply to life through an engaging showcase at the BERNAS Pavilion at the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2026.

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak said the BERNAS Gallery and its suite of digital experiences offer visitors a chance to dive into interactive exhibits, AI-powered content and immersive storytelling.

All of it is crafted to answer a single, compelling question: "Why is BERNAS important?"

He added that the rebranding of the Padi Gallery to the BERNAS Gallery, held in conjunction with the exhibition, is a strategic move to clear up public misunderstandings and reshape perceptions about the agency's true role, especially after 32 years of managing the national rice import concession since 1994.

"On the front line, BERNAS guarantees that rice supply never runs dry. During the West Asian crisis, for example, BERNAS stepped up to ensure that national rice reserves were not just enough for six months, but could be stretched to nine months if needed," he said.

"Behind the scenes, BERNAS is also a quiet pillar of support for local farmers. It offers technical aid and financial assistance through CSR (corporate social responsibility) programmes, while showcasing the full cycle of rice cultivation, from ploughing the soil right up to the harvest," he emphasised.

Isham was speaking to reporters after jointly launching the gallery with BERNAS chairman Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim and group chief executive officer Datuk Mohammad Azlan Abdullah at Laman Padi, Malaysia Agriculture Expo Park (MAEPS) here today.

He noted that this year's MAHA also features Laman Padi, an expanded attraction where visitors can witness the rice cultivation process up close, evaluate crop quality and see mechanisation and modern technology in action.

The interactive exhibits at the main pavilion, he added, are designed to ignite greater interest among youth and deepen their understanding of the rice industry.

Rohani, meanwhile, welcomed local and foreign visitors to explore BERNAS' historical journey and its behind-the-scenes role in weathering multiple rice crises, bolstered by strong ties with global suppliers. 

"This is crucial, as Malaysia's current SSL (Self-Sufficiency Level) for local rice stands at just 52.4 per cent, making imports indispensable to meet domestic demand," she said.

On boosting local farmers' productivity and income, Rohani pointed to BERNAS's Large-Scale Farm Programme as a proven success, delivering a dramatic leap in earnings.

Under this model, she said, participating farmers saw their monthly income skyrocket from RM3,000 to RM13,000, reinvigorating confidence and spurring calls to expand the project nationwide.

At MAHA 2026, BERNAS has, for the first time, woven together the narratives of farmers, national buffer stock, rice imports, food security, sustainability and social responsibility into a single, comprehensive and easy-to-grasp experience.

A standout feature of the gallery is an interactive display on the single gateway import mechanism, demystifying how rice imports complement local output, shore up national stockpiles and fortify supply resilience amid global volatility.

Visitors at the BERNAS Pavilion can also interact with 'Intan', an AI-powered digital assistant, delve into sustainability and community initiatives, and join hands-on activities, from rice sensory trails and harvesting demos to public pledges championing food security.

At Laman Padi, the synergy between farmers, technology, mechanisation and innovation takes centre stage, offering a live glimpse into how these forces combine to drive productivity and strengthen the nation's rice supply.

Rounding out MAHA 2026's offerings, a Sarawak Bubur Pedas (spicy porridge) cooking session with the BERNAS chairman celebrated the richness of Malaysia's local culinary heritage.

-- BERNAMA