KUCHING: For 2025, the pineapple industry is set to receive RM23 million through the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (MPIB), aimed at infrastructure development, farm expansion, capacity building, and adoption of modern technologies.
Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said his ministry is focused on expanding pineapple plantations to 20,000 hectares by 2030, with emphasis on high-value premium varieties such as the Sarawak Gold 1 (SG1), which has already been planted across 144 hectares in Kuching, Miri, Samarahan, Mukah, Betong, and Serian.
“The SG1 variety continues to garner national recognition. This year, Sarawak will export one million planting suckers to Peninsular Malaysia.
“Currently, 88 registered participants are supplying a total of 6.77 million suckers valued at RM4.58 million, further solidifying Sarawak’s position in the national pineapple industry,” he said.
He said this in his winding up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today (May 27).
Rundi added that the coconut sector will also see continued support under the Coconut Development Scheme with a total of RM2.9 million allocated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for the development of 160.5 hectares of new coconut farms and rehabilitation of 65 hectares of existing farms, benefiting 225 participants.
“Federal Marketing Authority (FAMA) Sarawak has been instrumental in expanding the coconut market, particularly through the export of mature coconuts.
“In March 2025, the agency shipped 10 metric tonnes of coconuts to Peninsular Malaysia, receiving encouraging feedback on the quality and size of the produce,” he said.
Rundi added that banana cultivation, another high-potential crop, is being expanded through a RM1.4 million initiative that will assist 81 farmers in developing 125 hectares of new banana farms.
“The Kapok and Nipah banana varieties remain in high demand locally, and FAMA is prepared to support market expansion if production levels increase.
“Since 2009, 356 banana growers across 467.2 hectares have registered under FAMA’s Contract Farming Programme, ensuring consistent market access and supply stability for farmers across the state,” he said.
