Green show: Mohamad and Arthur (front row, third and fourth from right) posing during the media preview. — SAMUEL ONG/The Star
SERDANG: The 100th edition of the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agro-Tourism Exhibition (MAHA 2024) which opens tomorrow will serve as a platform to explore the latest advancements and innovations in Malaysia’s agricultural sector, says Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
Expressing optimism about the event, which will not only feature high-tech solutions but also sustainable and resilient approaches that can drive the nation’s economic growth, Mohamad said the event is ready to welcome the expected three million visitors.
In a media preview at the event site at MAEPS here yesterday, he said the event with the theme “Harvesting Tomorrow Where Dreams Blossom” will have eight key focus areas.
“With its history dating back to 1923, MAHA 2024 reflects the ministry’s aspirations and goals to achieve success in facing today’s challenges through innovation and targeted initiatives,” he said of the 12-day event that aims to secure deals worth RM6bil through memoranda of understanding and agreements on the back of sales worth RM40mil.
The ministry is also targeting to receive 4,000 applications for grants and business matching worth up to RM600mil.
“MAHA 2024, which will take place until Sept 22, is making history by becoming the foremost and oldest agricultural exhibition in South-East Asia to surpass a century.
A visitor recording footage of MAHA 2024’s Laman Padi exhibit at MAEPS, Serdang. — SAMUEL ONG/The Star
“I hope the visitors who come can continue to liven up MAHA until the night,” he added, expressing his hope that the MRT will operate late into the night, which he plans to discuss with Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, the operator of train and bus services in the Klang Valley.
“With great publicity and good transportation, we are confident this will increase visitor attendance, in addition to other attractions like light shows, water displays and concerts by local celebrities in the evenings,” he said.
Children, too, will not be left out, as they will have customised exhibitions that include magic shows, along with fitness-based programmes, and the opportunity to run their fingers through a rice field.
For those with diverse interests, there are also displays of glamping and motorhomes, among others.
At its core, MAHA 2024 has all the elements needed to elevate it to a world-class event, with participation and involvement from various countries through the MAHA Go Global segment, which is a mechanism to catalyse the growth in the agricultural sector, increase exports and spur innovation.
Through MAHA Go Global, the ministry has promoted the event to foreign countries to display their agricultural technology, inspire local innovation, and explore investment potential in the country’s agri-food sector through business matching.
There will also be exclusive business-to-business gatherings in the first three days (Sept 11-13) at Hall C of MAEPS for professional networking and dealmaking.
In this regard, 16 countries have confirmed their participation, including Japan, Thailand, Brunei, Indonesia, Hong Kong and several European countries.
MAHA 2024 looks not only at those growing things on land, but also livestock breeders as well as those in the fishing and aquaculture industry, thus providing a one-stop venue to disseminate information to stakeholders.
There will also be 13 pavilions from all Malaysian states, each displaying their respective unique offerings in the areas of art, culture, tourist attractions and cuisine, all working in sync to support the 48 segments that cover the entire ecosystem of the agrofood value chain, ranging from the conventional to the out-of-the-box in order to attract fresh talent into the industry.
Also present at yesterday’s media preview were Mohamad’s deputy Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, and ministry secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali.
Further information on the event can be found at mahaofficial.my.
