Latest news with #CommodityandRegionalDevelopmentMinistry
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
e-Pineapple system to drive agro-digital shift
KOTA SAMARAHAN: Sarawak's Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Ministry launched the e-Pineapple System today to support more accurate and efficient decision-making. Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, said Sarawak was ready to face the challenges of digital transformation in the agro-food sector, in line with the agenda of the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy. "We at the ministry is striving to introduce digitalisation in all aspects of the industry," he said, adding that with the use of big data and analytics, the ministry could make more accurate and efficient decisions, from farm management to pineapple product processing. He said researchers and educators played a very big role in providing the data and knowledge needed to ensure that every decision taken is based on the latest evidence and innovation. "With this system, project administration becomes more efficient — farmer and production data can be collected directly and project monitoring can be carried out more transparently and quickly. "This system will become the best example for other states." He said researchers, educators, planters, pineapple product entrepreneurs as well as companies had an important role in boosting the industry.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Sarawak sets pineapple goal
KOTA SAMARAHAN: Sarawak's Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Ministry aims to expand pineapple plantations to 20,000 hectares by 2030, Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said today. He said about 2,199.43ha were planted with pineapples in the state. "The target is achievable because Sarawak is not only rich in fertile land but also has strong potential in the high-value agricultural sector such as pineapple cultivation. "Now, pineapple is no longer just a side crop, but is emerging as one of the drivers of the state's agricultural economy," he said at the meet-the-clients day organised by the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) to mark the National Pineapple Day. The text of Rundi's speech was read by the ministry's permanent secretary, Datuk Sirai anak Daha. However, he said the target would not be achieved without continuous efforts from all parties, adding that modern technology, digitalisation, and modernisation of agricultural practices were the key factors in ensuring the sustainability and competitiveness of the pineapple industry — not only in the local market, but also globally. "Most importantly, good cooperation between the state government and LPNM as the representative of the federal government must be upheld." Rundi said through strategic cooperation between the state government and LPNM, various initiatives had been carried out, including the plantation incentive programme, farm infrastructure and the study on pineapple waste for bioeconomic use. He said this was in line with the government's direction in developing modern, smart and sustainable agriculture. He added more than RM23 million had been allocated by LPNM this year for planting materials, farm infrastructure and pineapple waste research. He said this was an opportunity for the people of Sarawak, especially young farmers who wanted to make farming their main career. The aid offered included the construction of a drainage system for better water control, a micro-irrigation system to ensure sufficient water for crops, the installation of fences for the safety of farm areas and the construction of farm roads to facilitate access and transportation of produce. Temporary product storage facilities to maintain the quality of the fruit before marketing was also available to farmers, he added. Over 200 participants attended the meet-the-clients day event here today. It was organised to boost the relationship between LPNM and smallholders, agro-entrepreneurs, training institutions and the public. LPNM director-general Mohd Khairuzamri Salleh said the meet-the-clients day was an important platform to deliver the latest information, opportunities in the pineapple industry and channel assistance and incentives to eligible target groups. He said the programme aimed to boost public awareness about the potential of the pineapple industry in Sarawak. "This meet-the-clients day is a strategic initiative to strengthen relationships and cooperation between stakeholders in the pineapple industry from plantation operators, researchers, producers, manufacturers to exporters with LPNM as the agency fully responsible for safeguarding the interests of the national pineapple industry," he said. Participants included representatives of government agencies, pineapple entrepreneurs and those interested in cultivating the fruit. Among the events included a briefing on the main varieties such as MD2, Moris and Sarawak Gold 1, as well as plant care guidelines according to good agricultural practices. LPNM also provided exposure on pineapple farm management technology as well as information on the agricultural input assistance and pineapple entrepreneur schemes.
