SOURCE: Jude Toyat, The Borneo Post
Sarawak has been allocated RM80 million under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) 2026-2030 to support the development and transformation of its pineapple industry.
State Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said RM15 million would be provided in the first phase this year, focusing on programme launch and training.
He said the allocation would support efforts to expand pineapple cultivation in the state.
“The government has set a target to expand Sarawak’s pineapple cultivation area to 20,000 hectares by 2030, including the development of 2,000 hectares of new cultivation areas under 13MP,” he said in a speech read by his deputy Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail during the opening of the Sarawak Pineapple Industry Value Chain Course 2026 here.
Sarawak currently has 2,199.43 hectares of pineapple cultivation, making it the second-largest state in Malaysia in terms of cultivated area.
Of this, 1,480.10 hectares are productive, producing 33,231.55 tonnes of pineapple.
Nevertheless, Dr Rundi said the industry should no longer be viewed solely in terms of planting and fruit production.
“A modern pineapple industry needs to be viewed as a complete value chain, beginning with the preparation of planting materials and agricultural inputs, planting, production, post-harvest management, processing, value addition, marketing and logistics, through to domestic and export markets.”
He also highlighted the potential of Sarawak Gold 1 (SG1) as a premium pineapple variety from the state.
He said the target for SG1 cultivation this year would be 60 hectares, while an export trial to Singapore was underway to assess market acceptance, logistics requirements and compliance with export procedures.
The programme brought together some 200 participants, including pineapple growers, agro-based entrepreneurs, government and private sector representatives, and higher learning institutions.