KUALA LUMPUR: Nestlé (M) Bhd has reached a significant milestone, sourcing all chillies for its Maggi Chilli Sauce from local farmers.
The development was highlighted during Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir's visit to the IPR-INTAN Putrajaya chilli farming project.
In a statement, Nestlé said the project, under its long-standing Chilli Club contract farming programme, supports local farmers across 12 sites in Kelantan, Selangor, Putrajaya, and Johor, covering a total of 146 acres.
It provides farmers with income security, skills development, and stable demand through a fully traceable supply of chillies for Nestlé’s locally produced Maggi Chilli Sauce.
Nestlé Malaysia chief executive officer Juan Aranols said supporting the livelihoods of local farmers is integral to the company’s value chain and the national food security agenda.
“Long-term partnerships with farming communities and government stakeholders, including our collaboration with IPR-INTAN under the ministry, reflect our shared responsibility to build a more resilient and self-sufficient food system while empowering B40 households,” he said.
Farmers in the IPR-INTAN Putrajaya project earn an average of about RM3,000 a month.
In its fifth cycle (2026), the initiative has produced over 200 tonnes of chillies worth about RM1.5 million, underscoring the role of structured smallholder farming in supporting B40 communities and national food security goals.
The Nestlé Chilli Club was first established in Kelantan in 1995 and has since expanded to Terengganu, Selangor, and Johor.
The company said the programme forms part of its broader Farmer Connect initiatives, which also cover crops such as rice, cocoa, and coffee.
