The state continues to maintain its position as Malaysia’s largest pepper-producing region, with 8,061 hectares of pepper cultivation involving 38,587 smallholders recorded as of March this year.
Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the state government is intensifying efforts to strengthen the pepper industry through downstream development, sustainability initiatives and international market collaborations.
“Sarawak remains the country’s largest pepper-producing region,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech at the DUN sitting today (May 19).
Dr Rundi said his ministry, together with the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB), will focus on developing a complete supply chain centred on high-value downstream pepper products.
He said the initiative aims to generate better profit margins, capture greater value and further strengthen Sarawak’s pepper industry.
Under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), he said RM50 million has been approved under the Programme for Sustainable Pepper Cultivation in Malaysia to support premium pepper cultivation and improve productivity.
“In Sarawak, about 5,800 pepper farmers are expected to benefit under the Premium Pepper Cultivation Scheme and Pepper Maintenance Scheme, covering a combined area of 1,450 hectares,” he said.
Dr Rundi added that RM5 million has also been allocated under the Entrepreneurship and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (PMKS) Development Programme to strengthen downstream entrepreneurship in the pepper industry.
The programme will provide training and technical support in production, processing and marketing activities.
Meanwhile, he said the MPB has received an allocation of RM100,000 this year to implement the Food Safety Management System Certification (FSSC) 22000 programme in major pepper-producing areas across Sarawak.
He said the certification initiative is aimed at enhancing global competitiveness and strengthening consumer confidence in the safety and quality of Sarawak pepper products.
Dr Rundi also revealed that RM20 million has been allocated to complete the Pepper Industry Development Centre Project, which is expected to be fully completed by 2027.
In addition, he said SaraSpice Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the MPB, is working closely with the board and pepper farmers to advance sustainability initiatives and ensure Sarawak pepper meets international standards and market expectations.
He added that SaraSpice currently has two memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with prestigious companies in Japan to support the sustainable supply of Sarawak pepper to the Japanese market.
“This collaboration is important to ensure continuous and sustainable pepper production through a business model that directly links farmers with buyers and importers through local exporters,” he said.
