![]() This practice reduces erosion, improves soil fertility, and functions as a natural form of pest control. The farmers were also introduced to inter-cropping, or planting a different crop between pepper plants. This shift reduces water pollution and even sequesters carbon, which helps to fight the climate crisis! WWF-Malaysia works with farmers to start pilot plots that replace chemical fertilizer with plant compost and animal manure, strengthening soil fertility. Sustainable practices provide a slew of perks for the crop fields as well as the surrounding forest. Sustainable pepper farming benefits the surrounding ecosystem The creation of these links unlocks new outlets for the sale of locally-sourced pepper. The project also develops partnerships between farmers and markets. As the climate crisis worsens, a sustainable approach is more important than ever for farmers to adapt to increasingly extreme weather. The practices secure local livelihoods by bolstering the resilience of pepper crops. Sustainable agriculture provides a diverse array of benefits for the Indigenous community. Sustainable pepper farming benefits the surrounding community “I hope we can set a good example to the other longhouses in planting pepper in a sustainable way.” "WWF has supported us with pepper cuttings, agricultural tools and capacity building so that we are well-equipped with the proper technique of pepper planting and able to nurture pepper cuttings on our own,” said Peter Jabat, the Headman of Rumah Peter. The village aims to become the first certified organic pepper farming community in Malaysia. It also facilitated knowledge sharing around organic practices in collaboration with the local Department of Agriculture and the Malaysian Pepper Board. The project harnessed that potential by helping 15 farmers to kickstart their farms. Rumah Peter has a younger workforce with ample room to grow. WWF-Malaysia tailored their approach to the unique needs of Rumah Dagum, building capacity in pepper processing, storage, and marketing. ![]() The largest pepper producing village in the area, Rumah Dagum is home to longtime farmers but lacks direct access to the market. The two communities were carefully selected after an assessment of 92 villages in the region. “The project empowers farmers to manage their natural resources in an environmentally-friendly manner, and at the same time improve their livelihoods and lifestyles,” said Cynthia Chin, Project Manager for the WWF-Malaysia Sarawak Conservation Programme. In collaboration with the communities of Rumah Dagum and Rumah Peter, WWF-Malaysia launched a pilot program to equip pepper farmers with the tools to engage in more sustainable practices. Imagine a crop that thrives in fallow land, grows without chemical fertilizer, and provides reliable income for Indigenous peoples. The default pepper farming system incentivizes deforestation in the surrounding tropical rainforest, an ecosystem not only essential for the wellbeing of the community but also a haven for endangered species and a critical bulwark against the climate crisis. These ecological impacts aren’t just bad for nature - they hurt people, too. Some conventional peppercorn farming practices have been found to degrade soil quality, erode the landscape, and pollute the water. Planted almost entirely by Indigenous communities, the cash crop sustains the livelihoods of around 15,000 residents of the Song-Katibas region in the rural upland of the state. ![]() Sarawak black peppercorns are world renowned for their aromatic range. Located in the heart of Malaysian Borneo, the state of Sarawak produces 98% of the pepper in Malaysia. To foster a less chemical-intensive approach, a team from WWF-Malaysia collaborates with farmers to equip them with alternative methods for pepper cultivation. Conventional pepper farming practices require a high level of nutrients, and chemical fertilizers are often used to stretch farmers’ annual yield. These communities have grown pepper since the mid-1800s. For the Indigenous Iban communities of Rumah Peter and Rumah Dagum, nestled amid the lush forests of Malaysian Borneo, pepper is not just a condiment-it is a livelihood, a climate protector, and a preserver of biodiversity. When you sprinkle a pinch of pepper on your fried egg, you probably don’t think about where it came from.
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