ISKANDAR PUTERI, Nov 25 (Bernama) - Johor aims to expand medium-scale black pepper cultivation in the state.
State Agro-Based Industry and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip said that the state government has allocated RM500,000 for this initiative, which will benefit black pepper farmers in Johor.
“I have been informed that the Malaysian Pepper Board imports 3,000 tonnes of black pepper annually into Peninsular Malaysia.
“We see a significant opportunity for those cultivating black pepper, which is why the state government wants to assist black pepper farmers to initiate medium-scale cultivation with an allocation of RM500,000,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the State Legislative Assembly siiting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail here today.
He added that discussions will be held with the Malaysian Pepper Board and relevant farmers regarding the requirements needed to expand the cultivation.
“The current cultivation areas are scattered in Felda Inas, Kulai, Batu Pahat, and Pontian, but they are on a small scale, so we want to enlarge them,” he said.
Currently, Johor has a total of 21.6 hectares dedicated to black pepper cultivation, involving 90 farmers.
-- BERNAMA
