PETALING JAYA: Sabahan Zita Bolingkong enjoys defying the norms and chooses to see challenges as exciting new adventures to embark on.
Clearly not someone easily daunted by the unknown, the 53-year-old became a pepper farmer almost a decade ago despite having no prior experience in the male-dominated field of farming.
This former banking employee reasoned that since she pulled off owning a construction company years ago with no experience, she could learn the ropes of pepper farming too and make a success of it.
Zita, who is of Dusun heritage, spoke to FMT via a Zoom interview about her foray into pepper farming.
A spicy adventure
Zita said she first began entertaining thoughts of pepper farming after attending a talk by the Malaysian Pepper Board in 2014.
“Back then, pepper was usually associated with Sarawak. But I wanted to try something new and different. I eventually became one of the pioneers in pepper farming in the state,” she shared, adding that she also saw the potential in pepper because it is a commonly used spice throughout the world.
By 2015, she had begun tilling a piece of land she owned in her village so she could plant her first 20 pepper seedlings. According to Zita, she was the only woman farmer then. To assist her, she hired some villagers.
However, as a new farmer, she lacked sufficient knowledge about how best to grow the pepper plant. So, she got right down to researching pepper farming online. She also sought advice from representatives of the Malaysian Pepper Board.
Even so, there were factors beyond her control such as the heavy rains. Pepper plants, Zita shared, thrived in hot, dry weather.
But opting out was not an option. She had pooled all her savings into this new venture, and a little rain was not going to make her give up. In fact, it only strengthened her resolve to make it work. “I used it as a motivation to work hard.”
Her persistence paid off when she enjoyed her first harvest in 2016. By 2017, she had set up a company to market her products, naming it Puhus Pepper Plantation, after the name of her village.
She began by selling black and white pepper berries, and even black pepper sambal at expos and markets in Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia. Later, she introduced black and white pepper powder after purchasing two processing machines.
Remembering her own struggles when she first started, she began conducting talks to guide new pepper farmers. These were done through “Persatuan Penanam dan Pengusaha Lada Hitam Sabah” (PLAS) or the Sabah Black Pepper Farmers and Entrepreneurs Association, which she and a few other farmers formed in 2016.
Then, the pandemic hit
The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic brought her business to a grinding halt. So, she did the next best thing – she marketed her products online.
As such, she remains grateful for help extended by Persatuan Pembangunan Artisans (PPA), an NGO that helps local artisans promote their products through a website as well as physical stores and pop-up events throughout the Klang Valley.
“I am so grateful to them. Their advertisements are lovely, and someday, I also hope to learn marketing techniques from them.”
From Puhus to the world
Today, she has approximately 700 pepper trees on her tranquil one-acre land. And now, she wants to conquer the world.
A global presence, she said, would not only benefit her business, but the community of pepper farmers in the state.
Looking back on her journey, she said: “I feel happy, and it feels great after overcoming various challenges.” She said she is immensely grateful to her husband, who has supported her in all her endeavours.
Although changing careers from banking to construction to pepper farming has been quite a ride, each experience taught her valuable lessons. Through banking, she learned the principles of financial management while working in construction helped her become more resilient.
The mother of four daughters aged between 16 to 28 also hopes to convey a message to her girls. “As women, we can do everything, and our place is not just at home.”
To other women entrepreneurs, she added: “Despite the challenges, never give up.”
Follow Puhus Pepper Plantation on Facebook and Instagram and purchase their products on Shopee.
Visit Persatuan Pembangunan Artisans’ website or WhatsApp 014-573 8283 for more information.
Read more PPA stories here.