Proposals for a collection center, a pepper processing plant in Concrete reviewed

SPAOH, 17 Sept: Ministry of Supplies and Commodities (KPK) is open to discuss proposals for setting up a gathering center or processing plant for pepper in the Concrete Division.

His deputy, Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, said his party would ask the Malaysian Board of Lada (MPB) to thoroughly investigate the proposal, taking into account the potential of Betong as one of the pepper producing areas in Sarawak.

He said, the Concrete Division now has 5,070 pepper orchards with a planting area of about 1,102.8 hectares.

"We are open to discussion on that matter. However, I will ask the Malaysian Lada Board to conduct a detailed review of the proposal", he said.

He said this in a press conference after inaugurating the 2026 Lada Industrial Sustainability Seminar at Spaoh, here today.

According to him, several issues for strengthening the pepper industry in Sarawak, especially Betong, were also discussed with Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embassy and Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development (M-FICORD), Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.

He said the discussions included coordination between the Federal and Sarawak governments in helping to increase the incomes of pepper growers, as well as strengthening farmers' skills and delivering aid and incentives to the farming community.

"The ministry will continue to work with the Sarawak government to ensure that policies, programs and resources available to advance the agricultural industry, including pepper, can complement each other", he said. - TVS