According to Nordin Mohd Kanchil, more than RM1mil is required to transform Johor into a downstream black pepper hub due to the traditional farming processes currently in place. Nordin is the chairman of the Southern Black Pepper Farmer and Entrepreneur Association (Pedas) and he mentioned that Johor has 155 black pepper farmers, which is half of the 294 farmers registered with the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB).
Pedas aims to raise awareness about black pepper farming and its potential to generate income, particularly for impoverished families. Nordin explained that this became their mission after the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in job losses. He expressed the association’s need for assistance from the Federal Government and the ministries to fulfill their objective.
Pedas hopes that their request for RM1mil will be considered in Budget 2024, which will cover the expenses of advanced machinery, seeds, and fertilizers. Nordin highlighted the fast growth rate of black pepper plants, which allows for harvesting every eight months. However, he emphasized the need for a designated black pepper farming zone, preferably in Segamat, as most farms are located there.
The association is conducting sharing sessions with farmers from different districts such as Kota Tinggi, Batu Pahat, and Muar. Datuk Zahari Sarip, Johor’s agriculture, agro-based industry, and rural committee chairman, stated that the state is actively addressing this matter. He mentioned the state government’s plan to transform Segamat into a black pepper valley, although finding suitable land is currently a challenge.
Zahari stated that an additional 30ha of vacant land is required for planting but some identified areas are unsuitable due to flooding during the monsoon season. Consequently, a better location needs to be identified for the pepper plants. Zahari plans to meet with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is also the Plantation and Commodities Minister, to discuss the proposal.
Zahari expressed hope that the Malaysian Pepper Board’s ongoing testing of a modern farming method in Sarawak, which utilizes automation to detect nutrient deficiencies in plants, will be successful. If so, he hopes that Johor will become the first state in Peninsular Malaysia to adopt this innovative approach.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
