KUCHING, Feb 16: Sarawak must protect the quality and image of its pepper products to retain its reputation as a premium export commodity.
Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas noted that some unscrupulous traders jeopardise the quality of the product by mixing it with peppers from other producing countries in an attempt to increase their export volume.
“This kind of adulteration can have adverse effects on our reputation and overseas demands,” said Uggah.
He added proper enforcement is very crucial as Sarawak has many private wharves where pepper from outside of the region could be easily brought in.
“We must ensure our pepper export consists only of genuine Sarawak pepper, which is of better and higher quality than the rest.
“Another issue which could arise is when our current export record did not match our current harvest production. The more discerning importing European countries would questioned us how this had happened,” he added.
Earlier, Uggah welcomed the visit from the Malaysia Pepper Board (MPB) and Syarikat SaraSpice Sendirian Berhad at his office, today.
During the visit, Uggah called on MPB to find ways to increase Sarawak’s pepper production and in attracting more youth to be involved in pepper farming.
“I hope the board can come up with ways how our farmers can increase creamy white pepper production without resorting to chemical usage,” he said.
The MPB delegation was led by its chairman, Dato Anyi Ngau, and its Director, General Vincent Sawat, while SaraSpice was represented by its chairperson, Dato Sri Doris Sophia Brodie. – TVS
