Hiccups in plan for black pepper hub

MORE than RM1mil is needed to transform Johor into a downstream black pepper hub as the current farming processes are still run traditionally, says Nordin Mohd Kanchil.

The Southern Black Pepper Farmer and Entrepreneur Association (Pedas) chairman said Johor had 155 black pepper farmers, which is half of the total 294 farmers registered with the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB).

“The association’s main role is to spread awareness on black pepper farming and how it can help generate income, especially for poor families.

“It became our mission after the (Covid-19) pandemic caused many people to lose their jobs.

“We have the numbers to become a black pepper production hub but we need help from the Federal Government and the ministries,” he said when contacted.

Pedas hopes its request for RM1mil will be considered in Budget 2024.

“The sum is to cover the cost of more advanced machinery along with seeds and fertiliser.

“One of the positive things about farming black pepper is that the plant grows very fast, and harvesting can be done every eight months.

Zahari: We need an additional 30ha of land to do the planting.“However, we need to introduce a special black pepper farming zone, preferably in Segamat, as the majority of the farms are there,” he said.

Nordin added that the association was conducting a sharing session with farmers from various districts such as Kota Tinggi, Batu Pahat and Muar.

Johor agriculture, agro-based industry and rural committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip said the state was looking into the matter.

“The farmers’ proposal is in line with the state government’s plan to turn Segamat into a black pepper valley.

“But one hiccup right now is finding the needed space; we need at least an additional 30ha of vacant land to do the planting.

“Some parts of the land we have identified are unsuitable as they will be flooded during the monsoon season.

“We need to find a better location for the pepper plants.”

Zahari said he would meet with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is Plantation and Commodities Minister, to discuss the plan.

“MPB is currently testing a modern farming method in Sarawak that uses automation to detect the lack of nutrients in the plants so farmers can quickly solve the problem.

“We hope if the project is successful, the ministry will let Johor be the first state in Peninsular Malaysia to introduce this method,” he said.