|
several measures to help farmers manage rising costs, including temporary Sales and Service Tax( SST) exemptions on selected fertilisers, higher ploughing and harvesting incentives for paddy farmers, and enhanced assistance through the BUDI Agri-Komoditi and BUDI Diesel Individu programmes.
Diesel subsidies for the fisheries sector have also been maintained to support domestic fish production.
While these initiatives provided muchneeded short-term relief, Chan stressed that the long-term future of agriculture would depend on more than financial assistance alone.
Instead, he called for greater adoption of innovation and technology that could deliver practical benefits to producers.
" The future of agriculture will depend greatly on our ability to embrace innovation and translate technology into practical solutions that create value for farmers, agribusinesses and consumers alike," he said.
BRINGING INNOVATION CLOSER
He added that innovation should remain closely connected to the realities faced by farmers, ensuring that new technologies improve productivity, lower production costs, and strengthen livelihoods rather than simply introducing new capabilities.
That philosophy was reflected throughout AgTech International Agro Expo 2026.
Organised by Agroworld in collaboration with AG Exhibition Sdn Bhd, the exhibition focused on technologies that addressed many of the challenges currently facing the agriculture sector.
Smart farming solutions, mechanised equipment, precision agriculture systems, digital farm management platforms, crop protection technologies and sustainable farming practices were among the innovations showcased during the event.
Rather than serving solely as an exhibition, the programme also featured technical seminars, live demonstrations, and business networking sessions that encouraged
|
collaboration among growers, technology providers, researchers, and investors.
Business-matching sessions provided opportunities for exhibitors and commercial buyers to establish new partnerships, while discussions throughout the exhibition centred on improving productivity, enhancing resource efficiency, and encouraging the wider adoption of commercially viable technologies.
A major highlight of this year ' s exhibition was the official launch of the AgTech Nation Tour, a nationwide series of regional roadshows designed to extend the reach of AgTech Expo beyond its annual exhibition.
Speaking during the launch, AG Exhibition Sdn Bhd director Kok Jian Shen said the initiative reflected the organisers ' commitment to bringing innovation closer to agricultural communities across Malaysia.
" Rather than expecting farmers and agribusinesses to travel to major exhibition centres, the roadshow aims to deliver new technologies, industry knowledge and business opportunities directly to key agricultural regions ", he said. One of its earlier stops was held at the
A look at the expo, the Penang edition.
|
MEETING TODAY ' S
CHALLENGES:
The expo brought attention to the evolving role of technology in agriculture.
|
PERDA Convention Centre in Tasek Gelugor, Penang, where plantation operators, SMEs, technology providers and government agencies explored solutions ranging from automation and smart irrigation to drone technology, soil analytics and digital farm management systems.
Industry briefings and technical sessions held alongside the exhibition focused on sustainable input management, productivity improvement and financing opportunities for small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises, while structured business matching connected solution providers with potential buyers and distributors.
Future editions of the AgTech Nation Tour are expected to continue across agricultural hubs, including Raub and Cameron Highlands, broadening access to innovation and encouraging greater participation from farming communities throughout the country.
Looking beyond this year ' s exhibition, organisers also announced the launch of AgriNext Asia 2027, an international business-to-business platform that will debut alongside next year ' s AgTech International Agro Expo.
TAKING INNOVATION TO THE GROUND
With a focus on the Southeast Asia market, the initiative is expected to strengthen regional collaboration, encourage crossborder agribusiness opportunities and showcase emerging agricultural technologies from across the region.
As agriculture continues to evolve in response to economic uncertainty, climate pressures and changing production demands, innovation is becoming less about adopting the latest technology for its own sake and more about equipping farmers with practical tools that improve resilience and competitiveness.
Platforms such as AgTech International Agro Expo are helping to bridge that gap by connecting ideas with implementation, ensuring that technology reaches the people working on the ground and supporting Malaysia ' s broader ambitions for a more productive, sustainable and food-secure agricultural sector.- @ AGROBiz
|