Sarawak is making significant strides in modernizing its pineapple industry with the launch of the e-Pineapple System, a digital platform developed by the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (MPIB) to improve resource management and project oversight. The initiative, introduced during the 2025 MPIB Customer Engagement Day and Incentive Presentation Ceremony at the Sarawak State Farmers' Organisation Complex, marks a turning point in the state's agricultural digital transformation.
Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom, Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Sarawak, stated that the system enhances project administration, allowing real-time data collection and transparent monitoring. He emphasized the ministry's broader aim of integrating digital solutions across the sector, highlighting the use of big data and analytics to improve farm management and decision-making throughout the pineapple value chain.
Sarawak currently cultivates 2,450 hectares of pineapples (as of June 2025), up from 2,199 hectares in 2024, making it Malaysia's second-largest pineapple-growing state after Johor. The government targets 20,000 hectares under cultivation by 2030, contributing to the national goal of 30,000 hectares. MPIB Director-General Mohd Khairuzamri M Saleh noted that Sarawak is becoming one of the most progressive regions in Malaysia's pineapple sector.
To support this growth, MPIB has introduced various support packages, including planting materials such as MD2, Moris, and SG1, along with infrastructure and technical assistance. Under the 13th Malaysia Plan, smallholders and commercial growers will benefit from financial incentives, cluster expansion initiatives, and the development of a processing plant in Miri aimed at boosting downstream opportunities.
At the 2025 engagement event, over 500 beneficiaries across Sarawak received aid totalling approximately USD 4.69 million, supporting materials, infrastructure, and research projects. MPIB reported that MD2 pineapple fields are already generating monthly incomes around USD 1,904—surpassing the USD 1,695 benchmark set under the 12th Malaysia Plan and inching toward the new goal of USD 2,115.
The Program Hari Bertemu Pelanggan attracted over 200 participants, including government officials, producers, researchers, and entrepreneurs. The event fostered collaboration and discussion on challenges such as market access, food security, and sustainability.
The e-Pineapple System was officially launched by Datu Sirai Daha on behalf of Dr. Rundi, who credited the Sarawak government's strong backing in helping elevate the region's status within the national pineapple industry.
Source: Borneo Post
Source 2: Dayak Daily
