@AGROBiz May/June 2026 | Page 21

EVENT
May-June. 2026 | @ AGROBiz

EVENT

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YOUTH IS KEY: The upcoming MAHA edition also places strong emphasis on attracting youth into agriculture through technologydriven solutions.

The AI harvest

• AI-driven farming solutions will be among the key technologies showcased at MAHA 2026, including applications in planting and fertilisation.
• For the first time, MAHA welcomes more international exhibitors from Brazil, China, the US, Japan, South Korea, Hungary, and Uzbekistan.
• SAEX 2026 expects 50,000 visitors this August at the Sabah International Convention Centre.

ARTIFICIAL intelligence( AI) and smart farming technologies will take centrestage at the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition( MAHA) 2026 from Aug 28-Sep 6 at MAEPS.

MAHA 2026 secretariat head Datuk Dr Mohd Haniff Hassan said the upcoming edition will focus on modernising the agro-food sector through technology-driven solutions, with a particular emphasis on encouraging youth participation in agriculture.
The exhibition will showcase AI in planting, seed production, fertilisation and farm management, all designed to improve productivity and efficiency.
“ This edition aims to encourage greater youth participation in agriculture while introducing AI and the latest farming technologies,” he said at the launch of the Road to MAHA 2026 Southern Zone programme.
MAHA 2026 is expected to generate up to RM8 billion in trade MoU value, alongside business-matching and transaction opportunities worth about RM58 million.
He said foreign participation is expected to strengthen business networking opportunities and support the expansion of Malaysian downstream agricultural products into international markets.
Meanwhile, the Road to MAHA 2026 Southern Zone programme features 30 to 35 agro-based entrepreneurs from the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry agencies, alongside eight entrepreneurs from the Agro MADANI Sales initiative.
The programme also features exhibitions from 11 government departments and agencies, with an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 visitors expected from Melaka and northern Johor.
GLOBAL AGRI LANDSCAPE
One of the most notable shifts in this year’ s edition is the stronger international presence, reflecting agriculture’ s increasingly interconnected nature.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said countries including Brazil, China, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Hungary and Uzbekistan have confirmed participation.
“ This will be the first time foreign exhibitors are taking part. Food security is an interconnected issue. No single country can claim to have fully resolved its food challenges, because when disaster strikes one country, others will step in to help,” he said.
Held under the theme“ Value Creation for Food Security”, MAHA 2026 will also feature technology-driven agriculture exhibits from countries including China, Taiwan and the Netherlands.
THE Sabah Agro Expo( SAEX) 2026 returns this August, uniting industry leaders, technology providers, investors, and farmers to strengthen Sabah ' s agriculture and drive innovation.
Organised by ESM Exhibitor Relations Malaysia, the three-day expo will run from Aug 21-23 at the Sabah International Convention Centre( SICC), with about 50,000 visitors expected from Malaysia and the region.
The event provides a platform for business networking, investment, technology showcases, knowledge

SAEX returns

sharing, and market expansion, supporting development of the agricultural ecosystem in Sabah and Borneo.
Around 200 stands will feature products and solutions spanning machinery, smart farming, aquaculture, livestock, food processing, horticulture, fertilisers, seeds, biotechnology, agro-products, and sustainable agriculture.
Visitors can attend seminars, workshops, live demos of drones and
machinery, and explore fruit, seed, and agricultural product sales.
ESM Exhibitor Relations Malaysia Chief Executive Officer and Founder Arpandi Jasmin said the expo brings stakeholders together as the industry emphasises food security, sustainability, and innovation.
" Sabah Agro Expo 2026 is a strategic platform connecting businesses, investors, and industry players, creating opportunities to collaborate and explore new avenues for growth in
Sabah and beyond," he said.
He added that Sabah is well-placed to become a leading agricultural hub in the region due to its growth potential.
" SAEX 2026 will showcase the latest technologies and solutions to modernise agriculture and support local farmers and agri-entrepreneurs," he said.
Organisers invite exhibitors, trade buyers, distributors, importers, exporters, government agencies, industry associations, academic institutions, and the public interested in agriculture ' s future.- @ AGROBiz