MARDI International

Dr. Sanimah Simoh, Deputy Director General (Development & Operation) of MARDI, paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), on 28 April 2026 at the SEARCA office after attending the CAPRI Regional Workshop.

The meeting focused on the progress of the ongoing collaboration between MARDI and SEARCA, particularly in the implementation of the joint graduate scholarship programme. MARDI remains committed to enhancing its partnership with SEARCA through broader collaborative efforts in the future.

Both parties also reaffirmed their strong cooperation following the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier this year.

𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐲 𝐛𝐲 SEARCA

Dr. Sanimah Simoh, Deputy Director General (Development & Operation) MARDI, represented Malaysia at the 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 (𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈) held at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), UPLB Campus, Los Baños, Philippines, from 27–28 April 2026.

The two-day workshop brought together representatives from national research institutions, development partners, and regional organizations from 11 Southeast Asian countries and representatives from SEARCA, SEAMEO and ASEAN Secretariat. The workshop served as a strategic platform to validate CAPRI’s organizational structure, implementation framework, and research agenda. Key outcomes included the establishment of Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) and the identification of pilot activities. Participating countries also presented overviews of their respective research organizations and current priority policy research areas.

Led by SEARCA, CAPRI is a regional consortium of leading institutions that serves as a policy research backbone for agricultural development in Southeast Asia. It advances sustainable and inclusive transformation through science–policy–practice initiatives, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

MARDI’s participation demonstrates Malaysia’s dedication to advancing agricultural policy research while supporting comparative evidence development, regional policy dialogue at the ASEAN level, and greater coordination of agricultural policies across Southeast Asia.

𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐲 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 SEARCA

The Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Research Centre MARDI hosted a delegation from CropLife Asia, a Singapore-based non-profit organisation, on 27 April 2026. The delegation included representatives from leading industry members such as Bayer, Syngenta, and Corteva Agriscience, among others.

The visit provided a valuable platform to deepen understanding of Malaysia’s biotechnology landscape, particularly in the area of gene editing. During the session, MARDI shared its ongoing gene editing research on paddy, focusing on developing resistance to Bacteria Leaf Blight (BLB) disease.

Both sides engaged in meaningful discussions, exchanging insights and expressing strong interest in future collaboration in this area.

A delegation from Guilin University Of Aerospace Technology 桂林航天工业学院, People’s Republic of China, conducted an official visit to MARDI Headquarters on 22 April 2026. The visit was held from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Directorate Building. The programme commenced with the arrival of the delegation at Tan Sri Mohamad Jamil Hall, followed by welcoming remarks delivered by the Director of the Strategic Planning and Innovation Management Centre, Dr. Mohd Syaifudin Abdul Rahman. This was followed by a corporate video presentation, which provided an overview of MARDI’s roles, research focus, and key achievements, as well as a presentation by GUAT.

A discussion session was subsequently held, offering a platform for both parties to exchange views and explore potential areas of collaboration. The programme also included an exchange of gifts and a group photography session to commemorate the visit. The visit concluded at 12:30 PM, marking a successful engagement that strengthened institutional ties and opened avenues for future collaboration between MARDI and GUAT.

MARDI was privileged to host a distinguished delegation from Alkey Margulan University and leading research institutions from Kazakhstan at its Headquarters in Serdang, Malaysia from 21 to 22 April 2026, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing agricultural innovation and strengthening international scientific collaboration.

The delegation was led by Professor Bauyrzhan Yessengeldin, Vice-Rector for Research at Margulan University and comprised distinguished representatives including Mrs. Meruyert Abildina, Director of the Institute of Economics and Project Management, Mr. Aidos Abayev, Head of the Management Department at NLC Karaganda National Research University and Mr. Azamat Zhanseitov, Researcher at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Astana Turan University.

The delegation was warmly received by Dr. Mohd Syaifudin bin Abdul Rahman, Director of Strategic Planning & Innovation Management Centre, and Mr. Kamarul Anuar bin Ismail, Director of Corporate Communication Centre, MARDI.

The visit commenced with an engaging overview of MARDI’s roles, key achievements, and ongoing initiatives in driving Malaysia’s agricultural transformation. To further enrich the programme, MARDI collaborated with key agencies including Agrobank and Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA), providing valuable insights into Malaysia’s digital agriculture ecosystem, online platforms and innovative financing solutions.

On the final day, the delegation experienced agriculture of the future through a series of immersive technology tours led by the Engineering Research Center, under the leadership of Ts. Dr. Yahya bin Sahari, Deputy Director of the Post-Harvest Mechanization and Food Processing Programme, featuring advanced post-harvest systems, food processing mechanization, smart farm machinery, unmanned ground vehicles, drones and precision farming technologies powered by automation and sensor-based systems.

This visit marks a significant step forward in strengthening Malaysia–Kazakhstan collaboration, paving the way for impactful partnerships in agricultural innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable development.

The Director General of MARDI is currently at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU), Medan, Indonesia, delivering the 𝐔𝐌𝐒𝐔 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞. He is accompanied by the Directors from Horticulture Research Centre and Corporate Communication Centre.

In his session, he shared MARDI’s perspective on “𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦: 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧”, highlighting key global and national issues in the agriculture and agrofood sectors. He also emphasised MARDI’s role in driving technological advancements and innovation to ensure sustainable food security. Key highlights included the transformation of the agrofood system through the application of smart technologies such as IoT, the development of climate-resilient crop varieties, and the commercialization of high-value food products.

Also featured a presentation by the Director of the Horticulture Research Centre, MARDI on “𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧". Highlights of the presentation included studies on the adaptation of South African species, environmental-based approaches and new planting systems, as well as genetic innovations aligned with agroclimatology for sustainability and national food security.

The event was attended by the Rector of UMSU, members of the university’s senior management, and students. This marks MARDI’s second participation in this knowledge-sharing programme, following its first engagement in 2024. This platform continues to strengthen the long-standing agricultural collaboration between MARDI and UMSU since year 2020.

𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara

MARDI recently hosted a technical visit from the College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University (China) from 5–9 April 2026, aimed at strengthening scientific exchange and exploring potential collaboration in agricultural research, particularly in paddy and rice technologies.

The delegation, led by Professor Hu Jun together with academic staff and undergraduate students, began their visit at MARDI Headquarters with an introduction to MARDI’s research ecosystem and discussions with the Paddy & Rice Research Centre. The group also toured key facilities including the Centre for Marker Discovery and Validation (CMDV) laboratories and the Plant Factory at the Horticulture Research Centre, gaining insights into advanced biotechnology and controlled-environment agriculture.

The visit continued to IADA Barat Laut and MARDI Tanjong Karang, where the delegation explored rice research plots, the Agrotechnology Park, and learned about Malaysia’s rice cultivation systems. A field visit to PLS Company further introduced the group to seed production and paddy supply chain management in Malaysia.

Beyond technical exchanges, the program also included a Putrajaya city tour, offering the delegates a glimpse of Malaysia’s culture and landscape. This visit reflects MARDI’s continued commitment to strengthening international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity building in agricultural research.

On 7th April 2026 l SEMINAR:MIDORI∞INFINITY YOUTH & INNOVATION DIALOGUE IN MALAYSIA EMPOWERING FUTURE GENERATIONS TO ADVANCE LOW-EMISSION AND SUSTAINABLE AGRIFOOD SYSTEMS

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has invited the Director General of Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) to deliver remarks at the MIDORI∞INFINITY Youth & Innovation Dialogue in Malaysia, a platform dedicated to empowering future generations in advancing low-emission and sustainable agrifood systems 🌱

This meaningful dialogue brings together youth, innovators, and key stakeholders to exchange ideas, inspire action, and drive transformative solutions for a more sustainable future.

MARDI is proud to be part of this important initiative, reaffirming its commitment to innovation, collaboration, and the development of resilient agrifood systems for the benefit of future generations

Strengthening Malaysia–Uzbekistan Agricultural Collaboration

On 10 March 2026, the Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Malaysia, H.E. Dr. Karomidin Gadoev, paid a courtesy visit to the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), accompanied by Mr. Botir, the Embassy’s First Secretary.

The delegation was received by the Director General of MARDI, Dato' Dr. Hj. Mohamad Zabawi Bin Abdul Ghani. The visit aimed to further strengthen the Malaysia–Uzbekistan bilateral relationship, particularly in the areas of agricultural research and development, while exploring potential avenues for future strategic collaboration between both parties.

During the visit, the Ambassador was also taken on a tour of the MARDI Plant Factory, where he was briefed on the institute’s latest research, innovations, and technological advancements in agricultural development.

The visit marks an important step in strengthening the Malaysia–Uzbekistan partnership in agriculture, while exploring potential collaborations in research, innovation, and technology exchange.

On 4 february 2026, MARDI was delighted to welcome Professor Dr. Johannes Sauer, Head of the Chair Group of Production and Resource Economics, Executive Board at the TUM School of Management and Mr. Pietro Sala, Chair of Agricultural Production and Resource Economics, from the Technical University of Munich (TUM).

The meeting, led by Mr. Kamarul Anuar Bin Ismail, Director of Corporate Communication, with the participation of Dr. Syahrin and Dr. Hairazi, Deputy Directors of the Socio-Economy, Market Intelligence & Agribusiness Research Centre, focused on exploring potential collaboration in the field of agricultural economics.

During the discussion, both parties shared insights on research priorities, economic trends in agriculture, and opportunities for joint projects, reflecting a strong commitment to advancing knowledge and innovation in the sector. This visit marks a significant step towards strengthening international collaboration and knowledge exchange between MARDI and TUM.

We look forward to working together on future initiatives that will contribute to sustainable agricultural development and economic growth.