Boosting S’wak pepper industry
Deputy Premier: Integration of new tech set to enhance production, planters’ income
With the new technologies, farmers can expect to harvest about four kilogrammes of berries per vine compared to currently, on average, two kilogrammes. It can aract new young farmers who would want to plant new crops.
Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas
KUCHING: The integration of new technologies into Sarawak’s pepper industry is set to boost the planters’ productivity and income, says Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
“I have been told by the Director-General of the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB), Vincent Sawat, that they are actively pursuing this initiative.
“The Board, for instance, is carrying out pilot projects to apply Internet of Things (IoT) and modern methods like fertigation in Semengok in Kuching, and also in Sarikei.
“The industry is very important to the state and to the rural planters who, for a long time, have depended on the commodity for income,” he told reporters aer officiating at the ‘Pepper Industry Development Talk’ at Rumah Joseph Sanda in Jambu Kerampak in Layar, Betong yesterday.
Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Sarawak Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi and Betong MP Dr Richard Rapu were also present.
Adding on, Uggah – also the state Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development – highlighted the potential impact of these technologies on production levels.
“With the new technologies, farmers can expect to harvest about four kilogrammes of berries per vine compared to currently, on average, two kilogrammes. It can aract new young farmers who would want to plant new crops.”
In addition to technological advancements, Uggah underscored the importance of supporting existing farmers and encouraging new entrants into the industry.
He added that the Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA) had earmarked RM3 million to further support industry development.
“We are complementing the efforts by the MPB and the Agriculture Department.
“We want to encourage more new young blood to the cultivation. They can come up with new crops to produce beer quality and greater quantity,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Uggah called upon the MPB to come up with a price support system for pepper.
This, he said, would not only benefit farmers, but would also contribute to the nation’s economy.
According to MPB statistics, Sarawak is the largest producer of pepper in the country, with 38,277 farmers cultivating in areas covering 8,015 hectares.
Last year, Sarawak was projected to produce 31,900 metric tonnes of pepper.
The Betong Division, in particular, stands out as one of the state’s major producers, with 2,338 farmers cultivating over areas covering 659.7 hectares.
Later at the event, Uggah presented the allocation of RM1.737 million under MPB grant to various categories of pepper planters and producers from the division.