CASH CROP: Uggah reaches for a stalk of pepper berries while Noriah (right) and Nurmala look on during their visit to the pepper processing factory. — Bernama photo
KUCHING: Malaysia is targeting to increase pepper export value to RM650 million in 2020 from RM245 million this year.
According to Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Dato Sri Douglas Uggah, this is the long term plan under the National Commodity Policy (2010-2020), which also focuses on the expansion of pepper plantation.
“We are overseeing an expansion of pepper plantation to 20,000 hectares. At the moment Sarawak has the biggest plantation with a total of 14,603 hectares,” he told a press conference after visiting the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB) headquarters here yesterday.
“Our pepper commodity last year alone saw an export of 10,555 tonnes worth RM245 million to countries such as Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, China, United States and European countries.
“If we succeed in meeting the target in 2020, we will be looking at production of 42,000 tonnes,” he said.
Uggah added that with export to various countries, it is equally important to bring in more technology to improve the production and quality of local pepper.
“In order to achieve the target, productivity at ground level will need to be increased while attracting more investments from smallholders. We are looking at challenges ahead to ensure the target for year 2020 will be achieved,” he said.
To a question from a reporter, Uggah said the Malaysian oil palm industry complies with world standards and all related policies.
“The government is closely monitoring the industry which we believe is working towards a sustainable environmental policy,” he added.
Uggah earlier visited the MPB production and research factory, and was introduced to several pepper-based products such as sauce, perfume, and food.
Also present were Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister Noriah Kasnon, the ministry’s secretary chief Datin Paduka Nurmala Abdul Rahim and MPB director general Grunsin Ayom.