Cocoa Belt to increase local production

In a move to bolster the cocoa industry in Sarawak, the Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Ministry, in collaboration with the Malaysian Cocoa Board (LKM), plans to establish a dedicated Cocoa Belt. 

According to Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom, this belt will span from Asajaya to Simunjan, leveraging its proximity to the LKM cocoa processing facility in Kota Samarahan. The initiative aims to streamline operations and support industry growth.

“This is necessary to ensure consistent and ample supply of dry cocoa beans for chocolate production at the factory, which has the capacity to process 50 metric tonnes of dry cocoa beans annually,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday (Nov 28).

He further pointed out the current shortfall in Sarawak’s cocoa bean production, noting the region’s reliance on imports. In 2022, Sarawak imported cocoa beans, chocolates, and related products worth RM106 million, while exports amounted to only RM2.0 million.

To bridge this gap, the Malaysian Cocoa Board, under the 12th Malaysia Plan, has rolled out three key programmes in Sarawak. These include the ‘Program Rangsangan Pengeluaran Hasil Koko’, ‘Projek Pembangunan Bahan Tanaman Koko “Fine Flavour” dan Koko Organik’, and the ‘Program Pemodenan Pertanian’. 

An investment of RM4.2 million for 2022 and 2023 is directed towards these initiatives, benefiting 329 farmers across 311.38 hectares.

He also mentioned the establishment of Koperasi Kluster Koko Sarawak Berhad in 2019, aimed at helping smallholder cocoa farmers market their produce more effectively.