Zahari chaired the meeting where MPIB and industry players discussed a new agrotourism destination in Kluang.
JOHOR plans to invest in research and development to strengthen its position as the country’s top pineapple producing state.
State agriculture, agro-based industry, and rural committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip said Johor contributes 63.7% of the country’s pineapples.
“We plan to venture into research and development to improve the yield of all state crops, especially pineapples.
“Johor produces over 280 metric tonnes, RM680mil worth, of the fruit every year.
“We hope to increase our output,” the state executive councillor said in a media statement after a meeting with the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (MPIB) and industry players in Simpang Renggam town in Kluang.
“The meeting was held to discuss the development of Johor’s pineapple industry,” he said, pointing out that Kluang is the district with the largest pineapple plantation area of about 5,047ha.
“Among matters discussed was the setting up of an agrotourism destination in Simpang Renggam,” Zahari explained.
He said the meeting was part of efforts to heed Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi’s call for the state government to collaborate with MPIB and entrepreneurs to increase productivity and enhance farmers’ incomes, among other steps to develop the pineapple industry.
To achieve this, the state had allocated RM500,000 under the Johor Budget 2025, said Zahari.
“This includes assistance for MD2 pineapple seedlings, infrastructure development, training and marketing to encourage youths to take up pineapple farming,” he said.
