SPAOH,Sept 17 2026: Minister of Plantation and Commodity Dr Noraini Ahmad stressed that the pepper industry needs to shift from pursuing production volume to a value-based approach by emphasising on the quality and identity of Sarawak pepper to increase the competitiveness of Malaysian products in the world market.
Caption: Minister Dr Noraini Ahmad speaking at the opening of the Pepper Industry Sustainability Seminar organised by the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB)
She said the success of the pepper industry is not only dependent on production volume, but also judged based on the value received by farmers.
“When quality meets market requirements, the country’s pepper can be marketed at a higher value,” she said today.
She was speaking at the opening of the Pepper Industry Sustainability Seminar organised by the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB) which was officiated by Deputy Premierr Douglas Uggah Embas at the Spaoh Community Hall today.
She said that under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), every government aid and programme must produce a clear impact on farmers, including in terms of the type of produce desired by the market, the level of quality and the value obtained.
Under the Pepper Cultivation Sustainability Programme, the government is targeting the development of 750 hectares of premium pepper crops, in addition to the management of 800 hectares of mature pepper crops, she said.
Dr Noraini also stressed on the importance of technology and innovation in ensuring that the pepper industry continues to grow in line with current developments.
She said that the 'Dr. Lada' and 'Nutri Lada' applications will be combined under the 13th RMK in a more comprehensive and user-friendly platform to make it easier for farmers to obtain information and related services.
"If technology can save time, increase yields and help farmers make more accurate decisions, its use needs to be expanded because innovation cannot stop as a pilot project or demonstration alone," she said.
Baram Member of Parliament, Anyi Ngau, who is also MPB chairman, said the seminar is specifically organised to provide exposure to farmers regarding assistance, technology and innovation, agricultural input management and pepper marketing.
He said that the approach is important to help farmers manage their farms better, increase productivity and maintain the quality of the produce.
Meanwhile, a total of 150 pepper farmers in Betong received assistance totaling RM1.2 million to support the management and development of pepper crops in the area.
The assistance was presented by Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas, together with Dr Noraini Ahmad.
Of the amount, RM772,000 was distributed to 73 farmers through Premium Pepper Planting Assistance, while RM430,200 was distributed to 77 farmers for the Mature Pepper Crop Management Assistance category.
Farm Facility and Equipment Assistance in the form of pepper shredders and spiral separators, as well as Farm Equipment Facility Strengthening Assistance involving lawn mowers and motorized liquid sprayers, were also presented.
At the same event, MPB signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with Sarawak Oil Palm Berhad (SOPB) and Ajimoto (Malaysia) Berhad to open up space for sharing expertise and new opportunities in the development of the pepper industry.
Also present were Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development (M-FICORD) Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Deputy Minister of Plantations and Commodities Huang Tiong Sii and Betong Member of Parliament Dr Richard Rapu
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