(Seated, from left) Dr Abdul Rahman, Dr Rundi, Martin, Dominic and ministry officials in a photo-call during the press conference. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (June 24): Sarawak Agrofest 2026 (SAF2026), the state’s largest agricultural exposition, is expected to attract 800,000 visitors and generate RM6.5 million in sales when it returns from Sept 25 to Oct 4, said Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom. The Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister said the 10-day event will be held at the Old Bintulu Airport site and will focus on accelerating the transformation of Sarawak’s agri-food sector through technology, innovation and sustainable food production. “Now in its sixth edition, this year’s Agrofest carries the theme ‘Innovating Agriculture for Food Security’, reflecting our commitment to strengthening food security through the adoption of smart technologies, automation and digitalisation across the agricultural value chain,” he told a press conference at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday. Also present were his deputies Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail and Datuk Martin Ben, as well as Department of Agriculture (DoA) Sarawak director Dominic Chunggat. Dr Rundi said the official opening ceremony is scheduled for Sept 28 and will be officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, with some 3,000 invited guests expected to attend. He said SAF2026 is more than a trade and sales festival, serving as an important platform to drive the modernisation of Sarawak’s agricultural sector in line with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. “Our objective is to develop a sustainable food security ecosystem while empowering local agropreneurs to compete at the global level,” he said. The event is expected to draw participation from industry players, government agencies, entrepreneurs, investors and the public. Among the highlights are the Exhibition Pavilion, AgroTrade, AgroFresh, AgroTech, AgroInput, Peladang e-Shop and Sarawak Kitchen, alongside dedicated zones for paddy, fisheries, pineapples, commodities, sago and nipah, livestock, and smart agriculture. Dr Rundi also announced that the Congress on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security (COSAFS) 2026 will be held from Aug 3 to 6 at the Imperial Hotel, Bintulu. “The third edition of the congress, organised jointly with Universiti Putra Malaysia Sarawak, will carry the theme ‘Feeding the Future, Fostering Sustainable Food’. “Sales of exhibition space for entrepreneurs and companies will open on July 2. “The ministry welcomes participation from private companies, entrepreneurs and agri-food industry players in the exhibition and activities planned throughout the festival,” he added. Apart from exhibitions and product sales, SAF2026 will also recognise outstanding contributors to the agricultural sector through awards such as the ‘Sarawak Agropreneur Icon Award’, ‘Sarawak Young Agropreneur Award’ and ‘Best Food Crop Entrepreneur Award’. Other categories include the ‘Best Agro-Based Industry Entrepreneur Award’, ‘Best Inland Fisheries Entrepreneur Award’, ‘Best Farmers’ Organisation Award’ and ‘Best Livestock Breeder Award’. Further updates on the programme will be announced through the ministry’s official platforms.