By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, Sept 11 — At least 50,000 people are expected to visit the Selangor Pavilion at the 12-day Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Show (Maha) 2024.
State executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Izham Hashim said with an average of 5,000 visitors expected each day, he is confident in the pavilion’s appeal and its focus on agricultural modernisation and high-value products.
This year, Selangor is showcasing top-tier agro products, with particular emphasis on those produced under the Selangor Agro Transformation Plan.
“The Selangor Pavilion features only products from our state, with no imports. This year, we are highlighting our policies that prioritise the use of modern technologies like IoT (Internet of Things) in agriculture, making farming more productive and efficient,” he said when met at the Selangor Pavilion at Serdang today.
Izham said the Selangor Pavilion features a range of high-value crops such as vanilla, maize, coconut and pineapple, alongside advancements in eco-culture, including ornamental and food fish.
[caption id="attachment_369660" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
State executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Izham Hashim speaks to the press during the invasive fish hunting event at Tasik Biru Kundang, Rawang, on August 24, 2024. — Picture by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Many of the showcased items are the result of the efforts of successful entrepreneurs from Selangor, most of whom are Tier 1 producers, with products ready for export.
“We will also have sales as usual, but our main focus is raising awareness about the importance of modern agriculture in Selangor. The products showcased here are the result of successful entrepreneurs in Selangor, such as the only commercialised gourami fish farming in the country, from seeding to the final commercial process.
“We also present Selangor’s complete agro-policy in terms of supply chains, including land preparation and seeding before production. Next year, we plan to expand, including wagyu cattle farming, goat farming and other high-value agro-products like J33 jackfruit, ginger and mushrooms.
“Most of the entrepreneurs we brought this time are Tier 1, with products that are already successful and ready for export. The Hijrah Selangor programme, for example, has helped many of our entrepreneurs reach this stage,” he said.
The Selangor Pavilion will also introduce visitors to innovative agricultural practices, such as sustainable stingless bee farming, which utilises recycled materials for beehives, as well as Selangor’s growing lobster farming field, which similarly integrates IoT.
Agro-tourism is another key element of the display, with the Selangor Fruit Valley taking centre stage, said Izham.
Maha 2024, which celebrates its centennial this year, runs from today to September 22 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim scheduled to visit the venue on Saturday.
