MAHA, HPPNK Reflect growing Public Interest In Agriculture
PUTRAJAYA, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- The success of the Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism (MAHA) 2024 exhibition and the National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen Day (HPPNK) 2025 demonstrates the growing public interest in agriculture, said Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said the next edition of MAHA is expected to be even more vibrant, not only in terms of visitor turnout but also in sales value and wider participation, especially among youths.
'Last year's MAHA drew over five million visitors. For the next edition, we aim to attract a higher number of visitors, increase sales value and foster a deeper understanding among those involved in this sector.
'The government wants agriculture to be seen not as a part-time job but as a main source of income. We are now seeing more young people entering this field,' he said in his speech at the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry's (KPKM) Monthly Assembly in conjunction with the National Month 2025 celebration here today.
MAHA 2024, which marked its 100th edition, recorded more than 5.5 million visitors and direct sales worth RM48.5 million during its 12-day run at the Malaysian Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) from Sept 11-22 last year.
The HPPNK 2025, held in Sabah from Aug 1-3, received over 500,000 visitors and generated sales exceeding RM15 million.
Meanwhile, KPKM secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak said the next MAHA is expected to highlight technological advancements, including high-quality seed production to boost yields and competitiveness.
'We want to raise the quality of MAHA by focusing on new technology and investment opportunities, including ICT-based programmes. This is to create more agropreneurs, optimise idle land and tackle climate change challenges,' he said.
MAHA is a biennial event held at MAEPS, Serdang, with its most recent edition in September 2024.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
37 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Marconah, Kelantan's first Charolais Cross-breed, an attraction at HPPNK 2025
BACHOK: The first French Charolais cross-breed cow in Kelantan, named 'Marconah', was showcased to the public for the first time at an exhibition held in conjunction with the 2025 Kelantan Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day (HPPNK) at Pantai Irama here. State Agriculture, Agro-Food Industry and Commodities Committee chairman Datuk Tuan Mohd Saripudin Tuan Ismail said the 180-kilogramme (kg) female calf was produced through the artificial insemination straw method. "Marconah is the offspring of a cow named 'Marco', which was born early last year and is now one year and seven months old. It was developed through the Naimbif Cattle Conservation Project and the Bio Animal Reproduction Centre in Jeram Pasu, Pasir Puteh. "The state government, through the Kelantan Biotech Corporation agency, has collaborated with the Kelantan State Veterinary Services Department and the National Veterinary Biodiversity Institute in Jerantut to produce this high-quality breed," he said at the HPPNK 2025 opening ceremony here today. He said the achievement was important as a preparation to produce a hardy cattle breed, thus reducing dependence on imported breeds in the future. Tuan Mohd Saripudin said the livestock exhibition at the Veterinary Pavilion also brought together more than 220 'sado' (muscular) cattle as well as other livestock, including deer and hybrid chickens. "We also introduced a livestock feed product called OxyFAT, the brand which is a result of a collaboration between the Kelantan Agricultural Group Berhad and Oxytech Sdn Bhd, with the support of RHB Bank as a project financing partner of feed and feed mills. "This launch will enable OxyFAT feed to be marketed nationwide, including the southern regions of Thailand," he said. Meanwhile, Marconah's owner, Mohd Zaimi Abdullah, 59, said the hybrid cow was found to be more resilient to local weather, with stronger immunity to diseases and parasites and not too picky about food compared to other Charolais cattle. He said Marconah was born weighing 30 kg and is expected to be able to reach a weight of 300 kg when it is three years old. – BERNAMA
The Sun
37 minutes ago
- The Sun
Water and energy supply key to attracting investors says PM Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: The ability to provide sufficient water and energy supply is among the main attractions for investors in the semiconductor, data centre, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) sectors in Malaysia, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said this was further strengthened by the country's capacity to provide professional manpower expertise, which was a key strategic requirement for investors. 'These two aspects (water and energy) are very strategic, and I wish to emphasise that we will not be able to maintain Malaysia's credibility as a peaceful and competent nation if we cannot resolve matters related to water and energy. 'It is not only about providing (water and electricity facilities to investors), but also about how we manage the (prices) of water and energy at reasonable levels without burdening the people,' he said when officiating the Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant (LRA2) here today. Also present was Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA). Meanwhile, Anwar said Malaysia continued to face wastage issues, particularly involving Non-Revenue Water (NRW) due to usage practices and weaknesses in the old piping system. He said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is also the minister responsible, had raised the matter numerous times during Cabinet meetings. Following discussions, it would be made one of the priorities under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). The Prime Minister said in terms of water management, ensuring comfort and meeting the people's needs remained the government's main priority. 'How can a country with an abundance of water, with floods two or three times a year, still face water shortages? That means something is wrong, not because of Allah's will, but due to a lack of human ingenuity. 'Take Jordan, for example. They may only have heavy rain two or three times a year, but they are able to store water for times of need. That is why our technology must not only focus on advancement but also ensure water-saving measures are in place,' said Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister. - Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Ringgit ends lower ahead of US FOMC minutes
KUALA LUMPUR : The ringgit appreciated against most major currencies but eased slightly against the greenback at the close today amid cautious market sentiments ahead of the release of the US federal open market committee (FOMC) meeting minutes later tonight. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Afzanizam Rashid said that apart from the minutes, comments by senior US central bank officials will also come into focus after the release of the FOMC details. 'Markets are anxious about whether the US Federal Reserve (Fed) will deliver a 25 basis points interest rate cut in the upcoming FOMC meeting,' he told Bernama. Afzanizam said last week's US consumer price index and producer price index dynamics suggested that the Fed might continue to focus on inflation, but noted that the weak labour market warranted additional monetary stimulus. In addition, the market sentiment will stay guarded ahead of policy signals from the Fed's Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium later this week. At 6pm, the local currency dipped to 4.2250/4.2290 against the US dollar from yesterday's close of 4.2215/4.2255. At the close, the ringgit settled mostly higher against a basket of major currencies. It gained versus the euro to 4.9196/4.9242 from 4.9307/4.9354 yesterday and inched up against the British pound to 5.7033/5.7087 from 5.7066/5.7120, but dropped vis-à-vis the Japanese yen to 2.8648/2.8677 from 2.8572/2.8601. The ringgit also traded mostly higher against other Asean currencies. It gained versus the Singapore dollar to 3.2864/3.2898 from 3.2901/3.2935 at yesterday's close, strengthened against the Thai baht to 12.9756/12.9935 from 12.9848/13.0027, and inched up vis-à-vis the Indonesian rupiah to 259.6/260.0 from 259.8/260.2. However, it slid against the Philippine peso to 7.41/7.42 from 7.39/7.40 yesterday.
