By: Noor Eszereen Juferi
BINTULU, 3 August – Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) is strengthening the sustainable agriculture and food security agenda through the Congress on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security 2026 (COSAFS2026), which brings together international experts, researchers, policymakers and industry players to discuss solutions to challenges facing the global food system. The event also marks the launch of AgriHub, a platform to drive the transformation of Sarawak’s agri-food sector.
Universiti Putra Malaysia Sarawak (UPMS) organised the congress in collaboration with the Sarawak Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-FICORD) and the International Society for Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods (ISNFF), alongside Sarawak Agrofest 2026.
Held under the theme “Feeding the Future, Fostering Sustainable Food,” the congress serves as a platform for knowledge exchange and international collaboration to advance sustainable agriculture, food security, technological innovation, the bioeconomy and the development of a more resilient agro-industry.
Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, said the agricultural sector is not merely about food production, but also serves as a catalyst for food security, rural economic growth, biodiversity conservation and the well-being of future generations.
“COSAFS2026 provides an important platform to strengthen cross-disciplinary collaboration, policy dialogue, technology transfer and international networks, ensuring that research outcomes can be translated into public policies, innovations and industry development.
“Addressing food security challenges requires close collaboration among the government, academic institutions, industry and communities. Through this congress, research and innovation can be converted into actions that benefit the development of the agri-food sector and the well-being of society,” he said.
The organisation of COSAFS2026 also supports Sarawak’s aspiration to strengthen its agri-food sector and realise the state’s target of becoming a food exporter by 2030.
In conjunction with the event, the Premier of Sarawak also launched AgriHub, an agricultural transformation platform spearheaded by UPMS to integrate research, technological innovation and strategic collaboration among the government, academic institutions, industry and communities in efforts to modernise Sarawak’s agri-food sector.
AgriHub comprises three key initiatives — AgriHub@Gedong, AgriHub@Layar and AgriHub@Marudi — focusing on smart agriculture development, technology commercialisation, community empowerment and agro-industry development based on local strengths.
The initiatives are expected to enhance agricultural productivity, strengthen food security and develop a more resilient agro-industry ecosystem, while supporting Sarawak’s aspiration to become a modern agricultural hub and a regional leader in food security.
UPM Vice-Chancellor, Dato’ Prof. Ir. Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd. Sadullah FASc said this year’s congress theme reflects some of the world’s most pressing priorities as the global community faces climate change, population growth, resource constraints and disruptions to food systems.
“As the country’s leading university in agriculture and related sciences, UPM is committed to strengthening excellence in education, research, innovation and community engagement to develop high-impact solutions for the agri-food sector.
“Guided by the UPM True North Agenda, UPM continues to advance cross-disciplinary research, produce graduates equipped to face future challenges, expand strategic collaborations and ensure that research outcomes deliver meaningful impact on society and national development,” he said.
In addition, COSAFS2026 brings together four international conferences held concurrently, namely the International Scientific Conference on Indigenous Crops (ISCIC2026), International Conference on Fisheries and Animal Sciences (FISAS2026), International Conference on Food and Industrial Crops (ICFIC2026) and the 18th Conference and Exhibition of the International Society for Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods (ISNFF2026).
The congress also features four international keynote speakers, namely Senior Vice President of Industrial Development at Bioeconomy Corporation, Ts Soeraya Satem Ahmad; Managing Director of Hexagon Green Sdn. Bhd., Dr Md Yusuf Husin; Honorary Professor of the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Universiti Sains Malaysia, and Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Prof Dato’ Dr Aileen Tan Shau Hwai; and Founder and Director of ISNFF, Prof Dr Fereidoon Shahidi.
The event also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Universiti Putra Malaysia and SEDC Nutreco Sdn. Bhd. to strengthen collaboration in research, innovation, technology development and the empowerment of the agri-food sector through strategic synergies between academia and industry.
Also present were Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar; Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development of Sarawak, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Anak Utom; Minister of Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah; Sarawak State Secretary, Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; state government leaders; as well as representatives from higher education institutions, government agencies and industry from Malaysia and abroad.
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