Kuala lumpur: Agrobank continues to strengthen its role as an agricultural development financial institution by channelling pineapple industry development financing to Ning Planters Sdn Bhd to support the development of the Sarawak Gold 1 (SG1) premium pineapple industry. Its group president and chief executive officer, Datuk Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin, stated that the bank is committed to being a catalyst for the growth of the modern, high-value, and sustainable agricultural sector.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, this financing reflects Agrobank's mandate in increasing the added value of local agricultural products, expanding market access, and strengthening the participation of entrepreneurs and smallholders in the industry value chain. With a focus on capacity development and strengthening the industry ecosystem, the bank is confident that this initiative can create new economic opportunities, raise the income of the agricultural community, and bolster the competitiveness of SG1 pineapple in both local and international markets. Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah officiated the mock cheque handover ceremony.
Agrobank highlighted that Ning Planters was officially established in 2020 to commercialise the SG1 variety, developed through research and cultivation efforts since around 2016. The Miri-based company currently operates large-scale planting operations in Tukau, Miri, and plays a leading role in developing the SG1 pineapple value chain, including supplying planting materials to smallholders.
With Agrobank financing support, Ning Planters is also expanding its SG1 pineapple processing capacity to meet domestic and export market demand. This collaboration creates opportunities for small entrepreneurs and farmers to participate in the industry value chain through access to financing, training, guidance, and related development programmes.
Agrobank reiterated its commitment to supporting the development of the high-value agricultural sector and initiatives that strengthen the capabilities of local industry players, aligning with the aspiration to make Malaysian agricultural products more competitive globally.