More than 1.8 million visitors attended the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (Maha) 2026 over the first three days of the event, which opened on August 28 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS), officials said. Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, reported that the exhibition had generated nearly RM6 million in sales so far, with total sales expected to reach at least RM58 million by the conclusion of the expo on September 6.

The event saw approximately 184,000 vehicles entering the venue, contributing to significant traffic congestion. Mohamad confirmed that measures were being implemented to alleviate the situation, including the deployment of additional buggies and buses to transport visitors across the expansive grounds.

During a press conference, Mohamad emphasized the importance of reducing Malaysia’s dependence on cheaper imported rice. He cautioned that geopolitical uncertainties could disrupt international supply chains, potentially causing rice shipments to halt at sea and prices to rise sharply. “We cannot depend on these imports forever. With the current geopolitical situation, anything can happen,” he said, highlighting the need to bolster domestic rice production as a matter of national food security.

Efforts to increase local padi cultivation include reopening idle padi fields and initiating new planting areas, with some progress already reported in Pekan, Pahang, and Selangor. The government has pledged support for farmers and stakeholders involved in these initiatives.

At the expo, Mohamad officiated the launch of Laman Padi, a pavilion dedicated to showcasing Malaysia’s padi and rice ecosystem. The exhibit features a variety of activities including product displays, cooking demonstrations, padi-to-rice processing presentations, and exhibits on mechanisation and automation technologies, alongside traditional sports related to padi cultivation.

Additionally, the minister witnessed the awarding of a Malaysia Book of Records certificate recognizing the “Largest Paddy Art Formation,” which measured 119 feet by 126 feet. This achievement was a collaborative effort between the Agriculture Ministry and the private sector company Serba Wangi Sdn Bhd, operating under the Jati brand.