JOHOR BAHRU: Youths are urged to seize the golden opportunity to venture into the growing pineapple industry and become a key contributor to the country's agri-food sector.
Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) chairman Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali said youth participation could inject fresh ideas to advance the industry and sector to greater heights.
"Youth involvement can generate lucrative income for themselves and inject new ideas to elevate this industry, especially in adapting technology including the Internet of Things (IoT), mechanisation and modern approaches," he said at the 2025 Malaysian Pineapple Day celebration here today.
Also present at the event was Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
Sheikh Umar also reiterated LPNM's aspiration to target an income of RM10,000 for farmers under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
He said that according to unofficial data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), the pineapple industry this year is projected to yield returns of up to RM8,000 per farmer.
Regarding today's programme, he shared that the Malaysian Pineapple Day celebration themed 'Our Pineapple, Our Pride' today was being held for the first time to coincide with World Pineapple Day, observed annually on June 27.
He said the event aims to celebrate pineapple farmers and industry players as well as commemorate the board's existence since 1957.
Therefore, he hoped that the celebration would further energise the agri-food sector which contributes to the national economy.
"This tropical fruit is certainly not a staple food but it can contribute to the balance of trade of the country's food sector which currently shows imports exceeding exports," he said, stating that the event will be held biennially.
