By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 23: The 2024 Sarawak Agrofest (SAF) is scheduled to return for 11 days, running from July 12 to 22, at Bintulu Old Airport, with a lineup of over 200 exhibitors and anticipates to draw a crowd of 450,000 visitors while aiming to achieve RM5 million in sales.
Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom announced that this year’s edition of SAF is particularly special as it will coincide with the Sarawak Day celebration and the Sarawak Department of Agriculture centennial celebration, both of which will also take place at the venue.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is scheduled to officiate the event on July 12.
“The primary objective of SAF is to actively promote agriculture and the agro-based industry by showcasing all its various components. This provides a dynamic platform to attract increased investor interest and further encourage youth participation in the agriculture sector,” he said in a press statement today.
Aligned with Sarawak’s vision to achieve an advanced agricultural sector and bolster the rural economy by 2030, the theme for SAF2024 is ‘Enhancing Agro Sector, Empowering Community’.
“To elevate our agro sector and empower our economy, agricultural development must prioritise commercialising the sector through enhanced collaboration with global, domestic, and community partners, all driven by data and innovation,” he emphasised.
SAF2024 will integrate conference, exhibition, sales, investment promotion, food promotion and competition elements in one grand agriculture festival.
Preceding the agrofest, the 2nd Congress on Agriculture and Food Security (COSAFS), organised by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in collaboration with the Ministry, will take place at Parkcity Everly Hotel, Bintulu, from July 10 to 12.
The 11-day agrofest will feature several segments, including AgroTrade, AgroFresh, AgroTech, AgroInput, Smart Farming, Peladang e-Shop, Sarawak Aqua, Vet Zoo and Sarawak Kitchen (halal and non-halal).
Furthermore, it will also provide opportunities for agriculture stakeholders to establish networks, engage in business matching and foster cooperation to enhance agriculture supply and value chains.
Visitors will also be treated to entertainment, including performances by popular local artists, karaoke competition, Ratu Agrofest 2024, Agrofest run, lucky draws, a cat show, treasure hunts, and more.
Deputy Minister of Food Industry Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Deputy Minister of Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Martin Ben, advisor in the Premier’s Department Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, Sarawak Agriculture Department director Dominic Chunggat, and Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak director Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud were present. — DayakDaily
