The pepper industry needs to move from the pursuit of production to quality - Noraini

BETONG, Sept. 17: The country's pepper industry needs to move from simply pursuing an increase in production to producing high-quality and valuable products to ensure farmers earn better incomes.

Minister of Agriculture and Commodities Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said that the success of agro-commodity industry should not be judged based solely on production volume, but rather taking into account the value that farmers ultimately receive.

He said Malaysia's strength lies in the quality and identity of Sarawak pepper which has the advantage of penetrating the international premium market.

For example, Malaysia exported 12.8 metric tonnes of cream white pepper worth RM1.024 million from 2022 to last May, including to Japan and Vietnam in addition to receiving demand from Scandinavian countries.

"When the quality meets the demands of the market, national peppers can be marketed at a higher value", he said speaking at the Lada Industrial Sustainability Seminar at Spaoh Community Hall near here today.

Noraini said that under the Sustainability Programme of Lada cultivation in Malaysia, the government is targeting the expansion of premium pepper crops covering 750 hectares as well as management of 800 hectares of ripe pepper crops, with a focus on improving yields, quality and income for growers.

He said Sarawak has an important position in determining the future of the country's pepper industry as almost the entire Malaysian pepper crop area is located in the state, thus requiring continuous cooperation between the Federal Government and Sarawak.

In Concrete alone, there are 5,070 pepper farmers with a planting area of 1,102.8 hectares making the commodity among the important sources of income for local communities.

Noraini said the industry also needs to expand its use of technology, premium pepper production and value added cultivation activities so that the ultimate goal is not just to produce more pepper but build a stronger industry that gives better returns to farmers. -TVS