JOHOR BAHRU: The Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) is setting up a Pineapple Waste Processing Centre in Rompin, Pahang as part of its efforts to strengthen the country’s pineapple industry.
LPNM chairman Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali said the centre, expected to be operational in the first quarter of this year, was being developed under the Pineapple Waste Industry Development Pilot Project with a RM2 million allocation from the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.
Under this project, five farmers received pineapple waste crusher machines, while another five were provided with fibre extraction machines, benefitting farmers in several states, including Sarawak.
He said these efforts aimed to enhance the pineapple waste harvesting programme in line with the “Sekali Tanam, Tiga Kali Tuai” (Grow Once, Harvest Three Times) concept, which maximises harvests of fruit, seeds and waste.
One way to strengthen waste harvesting is by producing “pinapeat”, a semi-processed product derived from dried pineapple waste, which can be used to manufacture downstream products such as paper, animal feed and mushroom block mediums.
Sheikh Umar said these products could generate additional income for farmers.
“LPNM is committed to enhancing the industry through effective waste management, including the ongoing pilot project.
“To ensure the continued growth of this industry, LPNM must commercialise pineapple waste and supply it to industry players in large volumes. Hence, we are continuously improving our processes by deploying machines like the Forage Harvester and establishing a Pineapple Waste Processing Centre,” he told Bernama during an interview at Johor LPNM recently.
LPNM Product Development and Biotechnology Division director Elmie Adha Ismail was also present.
Sheikh Umar highlighted that LPNM was actively conducting research and development (R&D) projects with various quarters to develop food and non-food products, with 13 studies completed or ongoing since 2021 and four more planned this year.
Collaborations include Universiti Sains Malaysia on pineapple leather and raw pulp paper, and the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board on fibre.
Sheikh Umar said LPNM also focused on assisting 250 Agro-based Industry (IAT) entrepreneurs in diversifying pineapple-based food products while improving product quality and technological innovation.
“LPNM aims to increase the number of non-food IAT entrepreneurs in line with our ‘third harvest’ concept.
“These efforts will be intensified in the coming years, particularly during the 13th Malaysia Plan, with various budget proposals to be submitted to the ministry,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Umar said LPNM was dedicated to maintaining the pineapple industry’s excellence, as evidenced by its export performance of RM899 million as of September 2024.
“Before the final cumulative figure for 2024 is obtained, LPNM estimates Malaysia’s pineapple export value could reach RM1 billion,” he said.
He added that LPNM successfully expanded pineapple cultivation by an additional 1,674 hectares last year, bringing the total plantation area to 18,275.7 hectares as of the end of 2023.– BERNAMA
