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By Wilfred Pilo
BETONG, June 10: Sarawak must continue to be innovative and look for new economic networks in pepper farming to boost this cash crop in the State.
In making this remark, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Entrepreneur Development Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu said this would help pepper farmers to maximise their returns and improve their livelihoods.
He expressed his appreciation for a project utilising Malaysian Pepper Board’s (MPB) innovative idea of using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe poles on a test plot at a pepper farm at Nanga Jelau, Betong.
“This is the ‘real McCoy’ of the pepper farming community in Betong,” he told reporters during a visit to the pepper farm organised by Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF) today.
He revealed this test plot is MPB’s second test plot and has been quite successful.
“They are still doing some research on it because we are worried the PVC pole could get heated up and maybe will disrupt production.
“One of the reasons we have to choose alternative materials is because it is very hard to find belian (ironwood) poles that are used traditionally by pepper farmers,” he said, adding that they also tried other materials as poles.
“And of course, the new type of pepper that they use now like ‘semengok’, ‘mas’ and so on—the fruit is heavier.
“In terms of production, production-wise, you need bigger fruit to have volume. In terms of taste, the type grown at Nanga Jelau is still better.”
Rentap pointed out the need compare hybrid and traditional methods of planting pepper as well as to develop a stronger network for agriculture with Sarawak’s Borneon neighbours.
“We are blessed because our weather, climate and soil are good. And the best creamy white pepper comes from Betong itself. It could fetch about RM22 per kg now. So it is a good livelihood and has a big impact on the community.
“We also have to help to sustain it and be able to further improve the livelihood. Imagine the whole of Borneo with Kalimantan Indonesia at 26 million (population), Sarawak at 2.5 million, and Sabah at 3.5 million—a total of about 30 million people here. And that is why we need to build the network to become an economic powerhouse.”
Rentap urged youth entrepreneurs to get involved in the agriculture industry and bring new innovative ideas as well as strengthen the network for cash crops.
PMB’s first pilot plot using PVC pipes in planting pepper is at Gua, in Sri Aman while the second is in Betong.
Each PVC pipe used at the trial plots measures about 12 feet long, with 2-feet length in the ground. The cost is about RM40 plus per piece, compared to belian which costs almost RM70 to RM80 per piece, especially new ones. — DayakDaily
