When you sprinkle a little pepper on your fried eggs, you're probably not thinking about where it came from. For the indigenous Iban communities of Rumah Peter and Rumah Dagum, nestled among the lush forests of Malaysian Borneo, pepper is more than just a condiment - it's a livelihood, climate protector and biodiversity preserver.
These communities have grown peppers since the mid-nineteenth century. Traditional pepper growing practices require a high level of nutrients, and chemical fertilizers are often used to increase the farmers annual yield. To promote a less chemical-intensive approach, a team from WWF-Malaysia is collaborating with farmers to provide them with alternative methods for growing peppers.
the problem
Located in the heart of Malaysian Borneo, the state of Sarawak produces 98% of the peppers in Malaysia. Sarawak black peppercorns are world famous for their aromatic range. The cash crop is grown almost entirely by indigenous communities, and it sustains the livelihoods of about 15,000 residents of the Song-Katibas region in the state's rural highlands.
Some of the traditional pepper farming practices have been found to result in deteriorating soil quality, landscape erosion, and water pollution. These environmental influences aren't just bad for nature - they also hurt people. The hypothetical pepper farming system incentivizes deforestation in the surrounding tropical rainforest, an ecosystem that is not only essential to the well-being of society but also a haven for endangered species and a critical bulwark against the climate crisis.
The solution
Imagine a crop thriving on wastelands, growing without chemical fertilizers, and providing a reliable income for indigenous peoples. This is pepper.
In collaboration with the Rumah Dagum and Rumah Peter communities, WWF-Malaysia has launched a pilot program to provide pepper growers with the tools to engage in more sustainable practices. “The project enables farmers to manage their natural resources in an environmentally friendly manner, while improving their livelihoods and lifestyles,” said Cynthia Chen, Project Manager at WWF-Malaysia’s Sarawak Conservation Programme.
The two communities were carefully selected after evaluating 92 villages in the area. The largest pepper-producing village in the region, Ruma Dagum is home to ancient farmers but lacks direct market access. WWF-Malaysia has tailored its approach to the unique needs of Rumah Dagum, building capacity in pepper processing, storage and marketing.
Rumah Peter has a younger workforce and has plenty of room to grow. The project tapped that potential by helping 15 farmers start their farms. It also facilitated knowledge sharing on organic practices in collaboration with the local Ministry of Agriculture and the Malaysian Pepper Board. The village aims to become the first certified organic pepper growing community in Malaysia.
“We have supported the WWF with pepper plots, agricultural tools and capacity building so that we are well equipped with the right technology for growing pepper and able to take care of the pepper seedlings ourselves,” said Peter Gabat, Mayor of Rome Peter. “I hope we can set a good example for other longhouses in growing peppers in a sustainable way.”
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