By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 23: Sarawak Agrofest 2026 (SAF 2026) is expected to attract 800,000 visitors over its 10-day run while generating RM6.5 million in sales from Sept 25 to Oct 4, reinforcing its role as a strategic platform to accelerate the transformation of Sarawak’s agro-food sector into a modern, high-tech and sustainable industry aligned with the State’s food security agenda.
According to Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news, the high-impact festival will be held in Bintulu, with the opening ceremony scheduled for Sept 28 and will be officiated by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said SAF 2026 is designed not only as a marketplace but as a catalyst for structural change in the agricultural sector.
He said the main thrust of this edition is to accelerate the shift from traditional farming methods towards smart agriculture, including automation, digitalisation and the strengthening of a sustainable food supply chain.
“This festival is not just a sales platform, but an important medium for the government in driving the paradigm shift of the agricultural sector towards high-tech modernisation,” he said during a press conference at Wisma Bapa Malaysia today.
He added that the initiative aligns with the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which emphasises building a resilient food security ecosystem while uplifting local agro-entrepreneurs to the global stage.
SAF 2026 will feature 14 key segments, including government and private agency exhibition pavilions, agro trade, agro fresh, agro tech, agro input, e-shop farmers, Sarawak Kitchen, as well as a showcase of commodities such as rice, fish, pineapple, sago, nipah and livestock.
In addition, Dr Rundi highlighted that the Congress on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security (COSAF) 2026 will be held from Aug 3 to 6 in Bintulu in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Bintulu Campus, under the theme “Feeding the Future: Fostering Sustainable Food”.
“The festival will also recognise excellence within the agro community through awards such as Sarawak Agro-Innovator Icon, Youth Agro-Innovator, Best Food Crop Entrepreneur, Best Agro-based Industry, Best Inland Fisheries, Best Area Farmer Organisation and Best Breeder,” he explained.
Dr Rundi urged strong participation from industry players, entrepreneurs, as well as local and international investors, noting that exhibition space sales will open on July 2, 2026.
He added that Bintulu was chosen as the venue due to its central location in Sarawak, making it easily accessible for visitors from across the State.
“Previous editions have received very encouraging responses, and we are confident SAF 2026 will achieve even greater success,” he added.
Also present were Deputy Ministers Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail and Datuk Martin Ben and M-FICORD permanent secretary Datu Sirai Daha. — DayakDaily
