Kuching: The country's pepper industry needs to shift from merely pursuing increased production to producing high-quality and high-value products to ensure that farmers earn better income. The Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad emphasized that the success of the agricommodity industry should not be assessed solely based on production volume, but rather by considering the value ultimately received by the farmers.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Noraini highlighted that Malaysia's strength lies in the quality and identity of Sarawak pepper, which has the advantage of penetrating the international premium market. For instance, Malaysia exported 12.8 tonnes of Cream White Pepper worth RM1.024 million from 2022 to May last year, with significant exports to Japan and Vietnam, and additional interest from Scandinavian countries.
"When the quality meets market demands, the country's pepper can be marketed at a higher value," Noraini stated while speaking at the Pepper Industry Sustainability Seminar at the Spaoh Community Hall. She further explained that under the Pepper Planting Sustainability Programme in Malaysia, the government aims to expand premium pepper cultivation by 750 hectares, alongside managing 800 hectares of mature pepper plants, focusing on increasing yield, quality, and farmers' income.
Noraini noted that Sarawak holds a crucial role in determining the future of the country's pepper industry, as almost the entire area of Malaysia's pepper cultivation is located in the state. This necessitates continuous cooperation between the federal government and Sarawak. In Betong alone, there are 5,070 pepper farmers with a cultivation area of 1,102.8 hectares, making this commodity a significant income source for the local community.
She added that the industry needs to expand the use of technology, premium pepper production, and value-added downstream activities. The goal is not just to produce more pepper but to build a stronger industry that provides better returns to farmers.