The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy has reversed its decision to cancel PiAngo Fest, apologising for confusion sparked by its earlier announcement and revealing plans to fold the popular event into a new National Agricultural Festival.
In a release issued Wednesday, the ministry clarified that PiAngo Fest will not be held as a standalone event in 2026, but will instead be incorporated into the broader new festival.
The ministry acknowledged that its previous release, issued Tuesday, had failed to clearly communicate its wider vision for the festival's future.
"The ministry sincerely apologizes for any miscommunication or misunderstanding arising from its previous press release. While the intention was simply to inform the public of changes to this year's PiAngo Fest, we recognize that our broader vision for the festival was not clearly communicated," the release stated.
The ministry said the festival's past success inspired it to think bigger. "It is the Ministry's commitment to create a stronger, more meaningful and sustainable national event that can continue to grow and create opportunities for farmers, agro-processors, exhibitors, vendors, young people and the wider community for years to come."
Planning for the National Agricultural Festival is already underway. The ministry said further details on how farmers, partners, sponsors and the public can get involved will be shared as planning progresses.
Tuesday's original release had stated PiAngo Fest would not be held in 2026, citing the ministry's priorities, available resources, operational requirements, and the impact of weather on the mango crop. "Following careful consideration of the Ministry's priorities, available resources, operational requirements and the impact of weather on the national mango crop and more specifically our ability to predict the peak, the decision has been made not to stage the event this year," the initial statement had read.
The announcement drew immediate public disappointment and criticism before Wednesday's clarification.
The ministry thanked all who have supported PiAngo Fest over the years, saying it looks forward to building on that foundation as the festival enters what it described as "an exciting new chapter."
