This Content Is Only For Subscribers
By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Aug 24: In 2021, Sarawak exported RM5.45 million worth of coconuts and coconut-based products, primarily to Peninsular Malaysia, which accounted for 92 per cent of total exports, and this indicated a promising potential for further establishment and growth of the coconut industry, particularly in the export market.
Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-FICORD) Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom emphasised that coconut has been identified as one of the primary commodities to be developed further in the coming years to contribute to making Sarawak a net food exporter by 2030.
“In the same year, our imports of coconut and coconut-based products amounted to RM2.09 million. This shows that there is demand out there.
“However, there is still so much room for us to improve, particularly in ensuring a sustainable supply and maintaining high quality if we want to talk about export because at this juncture, we are in fact struggling to even meet local demand,” he told a press conference today.
He highlighted this before witnessing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing between the Department of Agriculture (DOA) Sarawak and Borneo Aromatic Coconut Sdn Bhd at M-FICORD in the Baitulmakmur Building.
This partnership aims to accelerate the development of the coconut industry and fortify the current supply chain in Sarawak.
In 2022, the estimated planted area for coconut in Sarawak spans 12,105 hectares with the top four divisions are Samarahan (5,757 hectares), Mukah (2,394 hectares), Kuching (2,006 hectares) and Betong (1,537 hectares).
Dr Rundi underscored the importance of public and private sector partnership and collaboration for full commercialisation of the agriculture sector to be realised in Sarawak, with focus on creating a sustainable and comprehensive supply chain, similar to that of oil palm “where every single oil palm tree means business”.
“If we can establish this for other crops, I believe it will further spur farmers and the agriculture sector. Sustaining oil palm plantation is no easy job as intensive labour is required but many are still interested due to the strong and established market compared to other crops,” he elaborated.
As such, he believes that major players could serve as anchor farmers where small farmers can ride on or tag along to not only enhance productivity and yield but also knowledge exchange, technology adoption, and bolster each step along the complete supply chain.
Commending Borneo Aromatic Coconut Sdn Bhd which aims to become a major coconut producer in Sarawak, Dr Rundi said they currently have planted 100 acres of pandan coconut at Trombol Telaga Air, 25 acres of pandan seed garden at Matang, 20 acres of matag coconut seed garden at Matang and 15 acres of coconut nursery in Malihah.
“I hope both parties will quickly come up with the initiatives involving the current agro-based communities, especially in rural areas, to align with Sarawak’s ambition of becoming a net food exporter by 2030.”
Through this MOU, both parties will take necessary steps to collaborate and enhance mutually agreed endeavours. These include supporting smallholders in coconut production, promoting domestic and export markets, conducting research and development in coconut production and processing, and exchanging knowledge and innovative technology along the coconut industry’s supply chain.
In the MOU exchange, DOA Sarawak is represented by its director Dominic Chunggat and deputy director Radziah Jack, while Borneo Aromatic Coconut by its directors Chang See Moon and Tony Yu.
Deputy Minister of Regional Development Martin Ben was present. — DayakDaily
