Pineapple A New Driver Of Sarawak's Agricultural Economy

KUCHING, July 24 (Bernama) -- Pineapple is no longer just a secondary crop but has emerged as one of the drivers of agricultural economic growth in Sarawak, said Sarawak Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.

He said Sarawak is not only blessed with fertile land but also holds great potential in high-value agriculture such as pineapple cultivation.

"Through strategic cooperation between the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) and the state government, various key initiatives have been implemented, including crop incentive programmes, farm infrastructure, and research into pineapple waste for bioeconomy use.

“This is in line with the government’s direction to advance modern, smart and sustainable agriculture,” he said in his speech for the launch of the LPNM Sarawak 2025 Customer Day and Project Assistance Presentation Ceremony here today.

His speech was read out by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak (M-FICORD), Sirai Daha.

Dr Rundi said that based on last year’s data, the total pineapple cultivation area in Malaysia was 18,135 hectares, and it is not impossible for this figure to increase by 2030, with Sarawak targeting to expand its pineapple plantations to 20,000 hectares by then.

He said this achievement, however, would not be possible without the continuous efforts of all parties, with modern technology, digitalisation, and the modernisation of farming practices being key to ensuring the sustainability and competitiveness of the pineapple industry.

“Not only in the domestic market but also internationally, and most importantly, is the strong cooperation between the state government and LPNM,” he said, adding that it is not impossible for Sarawak to emerge as the country’s main pineapple producer.

At the event, the e-Pineapple system was also launched, making Sarawak the first state to pioneer its implementation — proving the state’s readiness to face the challenges of digital transformation in the agri-food sector, in line with the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy agenda.

Meanwhile, LPNM Director-General Mohd Khairuzamri M Saleh said pineapple has been identified as one of the wealth-generating crops capable of transforming the lives of the people, with the agency targeting an income of RM8,000 per month for each pineapple farmer under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12).

“Survey findings show that farmers cultivating one hectare of pineapple can earn up to RM9,000 per month, which proves that LPNM’s target has been achieved,” he said.

-- BERNAMA