Since 1971 the Crop Expansion and Development Division had been established in order to carry out one of the functions of MPIB through the pineapple plantation project either by providing grant aids or pineapple plantation incentives. The implementation of the programme is in accordance with the Pineapple Industry Act 1957 under the Pineapple Industry Regulations (Financial Assistance for Farmers) 1991 [Amended 2011]. Efforts to expand the pineapple plantation areas within a new potential locations especially mineral soil is one of the strategies to increase pineapple production which previously was more concentrated in peat soil areas within the IADP areas of West Johor. However the efforts towards strengthening and maintaining existing areas remained especially within Johor State through the provision of the Replanting Programme incentives or Rancangan Tanam Semula (RTS) to entrepreneurs engaged in the pineapple plantation activities for the second round and onwards once they had received the New Plantation Plan or Rancangan Tanam Baru (RTB). The programme commenced as follows:-
- Gazetting the opening of the application.
- Notification of the opening of the application and acceptance of the application form.
- Application process (approval will be given to applications that meet the criteria set such as clear land ownership status or received land owner’s permission)
- The supply process for agricultural input materials including crop materials if entitled and in accordance with the supply procedures set by MPIB.
- Report of productivity and output yield.
In addition the Division is also responsible towards the expansion programme and technical services which is one of the programmes implemented since 1971. The prime focus of this programme is to implement the transfer of technology to target groups, implement human development programmes and conduct consultation services to the industry. The programme is held to assist and educate small pineapple farmers and entrepreneurs in enhancing their knowledge on technology and pineapple crop management starting from the site preparation techniques, proper planting methods, selection of quality seeds, weed and disease control right until the post-harvest technology based on the Good Agriculture Practice or Amalan Baik Pertanian (ABP).
The technology transfer is implemented to target groups aimed at increasing productivity especially to new entrepreneurs or private entrepreneurs to participate in the New Plantation Plan. Indirectly, it will improve efficiency in pineapple plantation management carried out among pineapple entrepreneurs through the use of proper technologies and effective agricultural input. In addition, this will also increase the production of quality pineapples and improve socio-economic status of pineapple entrepreneurs in the country.