Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) has developed 22 pineapple-based products in collaboration with local entrepreneurs between 2021 and 2024 as part of efforts to boost the country’s downstream pineapple industry ahead of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, LPNM Product Development and Biotechnology Division director Elmie Adha Ismail stated that the board aims to develop 25 innovative products by the end of this year, aligning with the 13MP’s focus on innovation and empowering downstream industries. The innovative products include a variety of food and non-food items such as pineapple vinegar, pickles, energy drinks, livestock feed pellets, pineapple fibre threads, as well as various products made from pinapeat (dried pineapple residue).
Elmie Adha explained that the development of downstream pineapple products is a collective effort by LPNM, researchers, and entrepreneurs to create products that are innovative, unique, creative, and competitive. He shared these insights with BERNAMA during an interview in conjunction with the National Pineapple Day.
The division is actively conducting 18 research collaborations with research agencies until the end of the 12MP, focusing on criteria such as marketability, industry suitability, and benefits to entrepreneurs. These criteria are designed to ensure that the research yields significant impact for pineapple entrepreneurs and can be expanded along the industry value chain to generate higher income.
According to Elmie Adha, the expansion of downstream pineapple products is also being driven through the division’s transfer of technology, engaging over 1,000 participants nationwide. This initiative showcases the agricultural sector’s capacity to produce innovative and competitive products, redefining pineapple as more than just a fruit but as a dynamic income-generating resource.
During the National Pineapple Day event, Elmie Adha highlighted that the inaugural programme showcases 78 pineapple-based products, comprising 27 food items, 32 non-food products, 11 health-related items, and eight cosmetic and personal care products created from the fruit, leaves, stems, and agricultural waste. The slogan for this year, Nanas Kita, Kebanggaan Negara, underscores the potential of pineapple as a multi-purpose commodity that can contribute to rural economic growth. The ‘three harvests’ approach (Plant Once, Harvest Thrice) is a key strategy to generate lucrative income for pineapple growers and entrepreneurs while maximising farm yields.
Elmie Adha added that the production of items such as bromelain enzyme products, pineapple leaf fibre for textiles, organic fertilisers, health supplements, and personal care products is encouraged. These products can all be generated from pineapple waste, which was previously considered mere agricultural waste.