@ AGROBiz | JULY-AUGUST. 2026

• Malaysia and Hungary are looking to deepen cooperation in agriculture and food security.

• Hungary will participate in MAHA 2026, providing an avenue for closer bilateral engagement.

• Smart farming, vertical farming, IoT, drones and smart irrigation will be among the technologies showcased at MAHA 2026.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said this was discussed during a visit by Hungarian Ambassador Dr Sándor Sipos.

He said Hungary ' s participation in the Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition( MAHA) 2026 was among the matters discussed, alongside the planned first Malaysia- Hungary Joint Working Group( JWG) meeting.

The two sides also explored ways to strengthen trade and investment in the agri-food sector, while continuing research collaboration between the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute( MARDI) and the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences( MATE).

A GROWING PARTNERSHIP

Mohamad said the technical partnership between the institutions is

JOINT EFFORT: Both countries are working towards the first Malaysia- Hungary Joint Working Group( JWG) meeting.

already yielding results, especially through researcher exchanges and joint research.

" The cooperation between MARDI and MATE is progressing, including through the Erasmus + exchange, genetics research, breeding technology, and high-quality livestock products," he wrote on Facebook.

This includes the Erasmus + exchange and research on genetics, breeding technology, and livestock products.

Closer Malaysia-Hungary agricultural ties could benefit stakeholders, especially farmers, breeders, researchers, and agri-food entrepreneurs.

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

He said greater exchange of expertise, technology and experience would help both countries benefit from each other ' s capabilities while supporting innovation and development in agriculture.

The minister was confident the bilateral relationship would continue to grow, especially in developing Malaysia ' s agri-food industry.

Sustained cooperation with Hungary would complement efforts to strengthen agriculture and food security.

The collaboration highlights Malaysia ' s efforts to build international partnerships for agricultural development and commercial opportunities.

INNOVATION will be the focus at MAHA 2026, helping farmers and industry turn ideas and technology into commercially viable products.

Agriculture and Food Security Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak said the event would bring innovators closer to agencies that could provide support, as well as buyers from local and overseas markets.

He said this could raise the value of innovations and expand commercial opportunities.

" MAHA not only provides new ideas to farmers and breeders, but also supports those ready to commercialise their innovations through agency platforms.

" They can pursue commercialisation individually or by collaborating with government and private agencies," he told Bernama after the Road to MAHA 2026 East Zone Programme closing ceremony.

NEW GOALS SET

Isham said this approach aligns with MAHA 2026 ' s theme, ' Value

MAKING IT COUNT: The Road to MAHA 2026 programme continues to build momentum ahead of the exhibition.

Creation for Food Security ', promoting innovation and technology to boost productivity and income.

The exhibition will be held at the Malaysian Agricultural Expo Park( MAEPS) in Serdang on Aug 28-Sep 6.

MAHA 2026 Secretariat head Datuk Dr Mohd Haniff Hassan said the event will highlight technology to attract younger generations.

Among those to be featured are smart farming, vertical farming, Internet of Things( IoT), drones and smart irrigation systems.

" For example, the use of drones in fertilisation and smart irrigation management systems can control and monitor the flow of water to padi fields, as well as provide an early warning system to determine the water supply ' s ability to irrigate the padi fields," he said.

BANK COMMITMENT

The exhibition is targeting between 30 and 40 memorandums of understanding( MoUs) worth about RM8 billion, with the agreements expected to be concluded during trade days from Sept 1 to 3.

Mohd Haniff said deals will include local and international partnerships, with demand for products like durian as a potential business area.

The event also targets sales of about RM58 million.

Meanwhile, Agrobank Group chief executive officer Datuk Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin said its role as the main sponsor reflected the bank ' s commitment to strengthening the sector through financial solutions that span the industry ' s value chain.- @ AGROBiz