LABUAN — The inaugural Road To MAHA Labuan 2026 is targeting 30,000 visitors as it seeks to strengthen the island’s food security, modernise its agriculture sector and expand market access for local agrofood and agromarine products.
Federal Territories Department director-general Datuk Muhammad Azmi Mohd Zain said the four-day programme, held at the Labuan International Sea Sports Complex from July 23 to 26, was also aimed at encouraging greater participation in the agriculture sector, particularly among the younger generation.
“We want to expose the people of Labuan to the opportunities available in the agriculture sector and encourage more people to get involved.
“We also want to support existing agropreneurs through the Skill Up Programme and youths through the Startup Programme,” he told reporters after officiating the launch ceremony here today.
Muhammad Azmi said the event also aimed to attract established industry players to invest in Labuan’s agriculture sector through potential memoranda of understanding (MoUs).
“At the same time, this event provides a platform for agropreneurs to showcase their products to the public, who can purchase them at reasonable prices,” he said.
He said the department also planned to organise at least one tourism-based event in Labuan every month to stimulate the island’s economy, including the hotel, transportation, food and retail sectors.
The programme is jointly organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and its agencies, the Federal Territories Department and Labuan Corporation as part of a promotional roadshow leading up to MAHA 2026 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) in August.
More than 180 participants from Labuan, Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsula are taking part in the event, which is designed to serve as a long-term catalyst for strengthening the local agriculture sector rather than merely a one-off promotional programme.
Its objectives include creating immediate business opportunities and cash flow for local agropreneurs, facilitating business matching, converting interest into registrations, promoting knowledge transfer and strengthening the sustainability of the agricultural ecosystem.
The programme also seeks to address Labuan’s food supply challenges, with about 90 per cent of the island’s food supply currently sourced from Sabah, while only 10 per cent is produced locally.
Given Labuan’s limited land for conventional agriculture, the programme promotes smart farming technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT), drones and other innovations to optimise production and encourage more young people to venture into modern agriculture.
It also seeks to position Labuan as an agromarine hub, with the potential of the tuna industry, particularly yellowfin tuna, being explored as a flagship product for food supply, gastronomy and tourism.
Business matching sessions are being held to connect local agrofood and agromarine entrepreneurs with business-to-business buyers, investors and major distributors to expand domestic market access and explore export opportunities, particularly in regional markets.
The programme features six zones — Food Security and Innovation; Modern Livestock; Aquaculture and Tuna Industry; Agro-Tourism and Culture; SME and Youth Entrepreneurs; and Labuan Food Empire.
Activities include agro and gastronomy exhibitions, Agro MADANI sales, food and beverage sales, technology and knowledge-sharing sessions, stage performances, competitions, interactive activities, Rahmah sales and fireworks, as well as performances by invited artistes.
Also present were Labuan Corporation chief executive officer Rithuan Ismail and senior officials from various government agencies.
