February 21, 2024 | The Star |
Malaysia's Pineapple Industry Board aims to expand pineapple plantations to 20,000 hectares by 2025, focusing on Sabah and Sarawak. Currently, there are 17,000 hectares nationwide, with plans to add 3,000 hectares. The goal is to increase pineapple production from 583,543 to 700,000 metric tonnes, aligning with the Agriculture Ministry's target. Technology adoption and automation will play a crucial role in enhancing productivity. A new SG1 variety from Sarawak, which can be harvested in just nine months, will be introduced to Peninsular Malaysia in March. The board also aims to export 1,000 containers of pineapples, doubling the current capacity, to countries like China, Korea, Japan, Germany, and the Middle East. Additionally, they seek to raise the value of pineapple trees to RM50 per tree, following the Agriculture Ministry's suggestion to make pineapples a lucrative source for farmers. These efforts aim to bolster Malaysia's pineapple industry and create economic opportunities for local farmers.