SANDAKAN: The Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board is keen to spread its wings to grow Sabah’s pineapple industry using modern technology to produce high-yield varieties for the local and international markets.
Its Chairman, Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal who led MPIB’s board of directors and management to see Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Hj Noor here this morning(Friday) said MPIB has the capacity and capital to help by sharing expertise and giving incentives to Sabah’s smallholders and entrepreneurs.
In this endeavor, MPIB has the B40 income earners in sight to help raise their status to higher income earners.
Premium quality pineapples such as the premium MD2 variety that meet international standards are in demand and Sabah is in a strategic location to export them for example, to the China market, he said.
Welcoming MPIB’s plan, Hajiji said Sabah has the potential to expand the pineapple industry with vast tracts of suitable land, in addition to existing pineapple growing areas in the Penampang, Kiulu and Beaufort districts and elsewhere.
Sabah is among the states that do not have MPIB’s presence and the Chief Minister assured the State government will facilitate the Board’s extention to benefit the people and the state.
