By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Aug 25: Sarawak is in need of more pepper planters as the global demand for pepper is ever-increasing, says Saraspice Sdn Bhd chairwoman Voon Shiak Ni.
She said while the demand for Sarawak pepper is increasing, the number of pepper planters in Sarawak is declining.
“The pertinent question now is, can Sarawak tap these potential markets and produce enough pepper to meet the demands even for export?” she questioned.
Noting Sarawak pepper’s high quality and uniqueness in terms of aroma and taste, she said Sarawak pepper is known to be one of the best and most sought after in the world.
With this much potential, Voon urged the government to introduce more initiatives to support and attract more pepper planters and players in the industry.
“Sustainability initiatives and exercise of expansion of pepper plantation in the pepper planters is lacking.
“So we urge the government to support and invest to rebuild the pepper industry again as it is a good source of income.
“It is a promising industry. It is worth investing,” she said in her speech during the Saraspice relaunching ceremony at Icom Square here today.
Saraspice Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary company under the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB), accomplished a milestone today with the launching of its new branding, packaging and logo.
At the same time, a sales gallery outlet selling Saraspice Sarawak pepper products was also officially opened today at Icom Square.
Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin officiated at the ceremony. She was accompanied by her deputy Datuk Willie Mongin and Sarawak Deputy Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail. — DayakDaily
