By Tania Lam & Umie Syazwanie Mohd
KUCHING: Land selected or explored for the cultivation of pepper requires certain specifications as this affects the quality of pepper.
In saying this, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin explained that the quality of pepper grown was affected by soil type, irrigation, and other factors.
“If we want to ensure that Malaysia produces quality pepper, this must also be considered for our future planning,” she said at a press conference during her official visit to Malaysia Pepper Board (MPB) Headquarters here on Wednesday (Sept 8).
She said smallholders should be informed of such specifications to ensure that they produce quality pepper and that their income would also increase.
On which areas are suitable for pepper cultivation, she believed that MPB officers, with their substantial experience in the pepper industry, would be able to provide feedback and organise a structured plan and strategy.
“This is for those who are interested in planting pepper and we must have a standard operating procedure (SOP) or guideline,” she said.
Zuraida said the pepper industry has vast potential, pointing out that Malaysia is the fourth-largest producer of pepper in the world after Vietnam, Indonesia, and India.
“However, if we look at these countries, we cannot deny that they have vast land area. So, in terms of production based on land area, we cannot compete with them,” she said.
Thus, she said Malaysia must compete in this market by producing better quality products. She added that branding should also be focused on — positioning pepper produced by Malaysia as premium and of high quality.
“This would be the difference between regular pepper and the pepper produced by Malaysia,” she said.
Noting that there are a few categories and grades of pepper, she said creamy white pepper is of a higher quality.
“If Malaysia wants to produce better products compared to other countries, I am of the view that we should focus on creamy white pepper as it is of high value,” she said.
Also present was Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister Datuk Willie Mongin and other representatives from the ministry and MPB.
