JOHOR BARU: Johor is stepping up efforts to revitalise its pepper industry and reclaim its position as one of Malaysia’s leading producers.
The state aims to achieve this through a renewed expansion programme and strategic funding support.
Agriculture, agro-based industry and rural development committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip said the state government had allocated RM500,000 for the Johor Pepper Expansion Programme under the technology transfer initiative.
The allocation was channelled to the Malaysian Pepper Board.
“This initiative aims to help smallholders expand their pepper cultivation areas and boost production to meet growing domestic demand,” he said.
As of September this year, a total of 9.7ha of new pepper-growing areas have been developed by 43 smallholders and two private companies.
“This brings Johor’s total pepper cultivation area to 30.9ha, managed by 121 smallholders,” he said here yesterday.
Zahari said the progress made this year had strengthened Johor’s position as the second-largest pepper-producing state in the peninsula after Terengganu.
He added that the state’s continued support for the industry reflects its long-term goal of empowering rural communities through high-value crops.
“Pepper cultivation offers promising returns when managed efficiently, and we see this as an opportunity for smallholders to diversify their income sources,” he said.
Recognising the industry’s potential, Zahari, who is also Buloh Kasap assemblyman, said he has proposed another RM500,000 allocation under the Johor Budget 2026 to sustain and enhance the programme.
He said the additional funding would be channelled towards supporting new planting projects, providing agricultural inputs, technical guidance and training programmes for smallholders.
“This continuation is crucial to strengthen the value chain, from planting and processing to marketing, while ensuring our smallholders have the right knowledge and tools to improve productivity,” he said.
Zahari said that with nearly 10ha of new cultivation achieved in 2025 and fresh funds planned for next year, the initiative is expected to serve as a catalyst for Johor’s pepper industry revival.
He noted that Peninsular Malaysia currently imports between 2,000 and 3,000 metric tonnes of pepper annually, mainly from Sarawak and overseas.
“By increasing our local production, we can gradually reduce dependence on imports and ensure better price stability for local consumers and businesses,” he said.
He added that the programme also aims to attract more participation from the youth and private sector players to strengthen downstream activities, including pepper processing, packaging and product innovation.
He expressed confidence that Johor’s commitment would help the sector regain its prominence in Malaysia’s pepper industry.
