By Shikin Louis
KOTA SAMARAHAN, July 24: Sarawak has become the first region in Malaysia to implement the e-Pineapple system, a digital platform developed to streamline the management and delivery of pineapple industry support under the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (MPIB).
Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, said the launch marks a significant step in modernising agriculture and proves Sarawak’s readiness to lead in digital transformation.
“With this system, project administration becomes more efficient, farmer and production data can be collected directly, and project monitoring can be carried out in a more transparent and timely manner.
“I believe the use of this system will serve as a best-practice model for other states,” he said in a speech text read by Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak (MFICORD) permanent secretary Datu Sirai Daha during the system’s launch at the MPIB Customer Engagement Day and Incentive Presentation Ceremony 2025 held at State Farmers’ Organisation Sarawak (SFO) Complex here today.
Dr Rundi also said the ministry is working to introduce digitalisation in all aspects of the industry.
“Through the use of big data and analytics, we are able to make more accurate and efficient decisions from farm management to the processing of pineapple products.
“In this regard, researchers and educators play a crucial role in providing the necessary data and knowledge to ensure that every decision made is based on the latest evidence and innovation,” he added.
According to Dr Rundi, Sarawak aims to develop 20,000 hectares of pineapple farms by the end of 2030, a significant contribution toward the national target of 30,000 hectares.
As of 2024, the total area planted with pineapples across Malaysia stands at 18,135 hectares.
Sarawak, meanwhile, has recorded 2,450 hectares of pineapple cultivation as of June 2025—still behind Johor’s over 11,000 hectares reported in 2023, but steadily progressing toward becoming a major contributor to national output.
Under the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), Dr Rundi said MPIB Sarawak will implement a three-pronged strategy to develop the industry further. This includes a basic incentive package for smallholders, a group incentive package for existing and new clusters and a commercial package targeting individual and corporate investments.
He also announced that efforts are underway to establish a pineapple processing plant in Miri, which will secure downstream opportunities and provide a guaranteed market for farmers.
Meanwhile, MPIB director-general Mohd Khairuzamri M Saleh revealed that pineapple farmers cultivating one hectare of MD2 variety pineapples are now earning nearly RM9,000 per month, surpassing the RM8,000 monthly income target set under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
Citing data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), he said the achievement marked a key milestone in elevating the pineapple industry and confirmed that the income target under RMK12 had been met.
“Looking ahead, MPIB aims to raise the benchmark further under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), with a new target of RM10,000 monthly income per farmer,” he said.
The ceremony also saw the official disbursement of RM22,110,000 in MPIB incentive aid for 2025 to over 500 recipients across the Sarawak. The aid packages comprise components such as planting materials, farm infrastructure and research-based initiatives.
Also present were Beting Maro assemblyman Razaili Gapor, Samarahan Division Resident Mohamad Irwan Bahari Bujang and MPIB Sarawak director Mohd Nazaiful Azdi Rahman.
– DayakDaily
